The FF Plus is calling on the Gauteng authorities to waste no time in arresting the former MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, for the deaths of 143 psychiatric patients that resulted from the Esidimeni debacle, says Philip van Staden, FF Plus MPL in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to Van Staden, the FF Plus is of the opinion that Mahlangu will return to London and that it will be difficult to bring her back to South Africa so that she can be called to account for her misdeeds.
“Mahlangu must be charged with attempted murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping and fraud. The testimony she gave during this week’s arbitration hearing was insufficient and incomplete and she certainly was not putting all her cards on the table.
“Her attitude and answers clearly upset the loved ones of the deceased and people shouted that she was not telling the truth. Mahlangu was constantly trying to shift the blame and she is does not seem willing to assume any responsibility for what happened.
“This past Monday, Mahlangu came to the hearing unprepared and she didn’t even take the time to review the charges against her. That goes to show that she has no regard for the proceedings or the victims’ next of kin.
“She did indeed apologise to the next of kin, but that is not good enough. As the political head of the Department, it was her job and responsibility to know what was going on in the Department. For that reason, she must be held accountable for what happened and she must be arrested before she leaves the country again,” says Van Staden.
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