The families of the more than 90 psychiatric patients who died after being transferred from Life Esidimeni to nongovernmental organisations have asked political parties not to use the tragedy to settle their political scores.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura made this announcement on Monday after holding a healing ceremony with the families at the Freedom Park monument in Pretoria on Saturday.
“The families have made an impartial plea that all politicians and political parties‚ that none of us should use this tragedy as a political football and they said to us when we do this as politicians‚ this prolongs their pain‚" said Makhura.
- Burial scandal unfolds in Life Esidimeni sagaA Pretoria NGO contracted to take in mentally ill patients from Life Esidimeni reportedly gave private burials for those who died without telling the patients’ families.
Makhura was speaking at his fourth State of the Province Address at the Greenhills Stadium in Randfontein on Monday.
The premier started his speech by paying tribute to the families and also vowed to ensure that the recommendations by the Health Ombudsman in his report of the psychiatric patients were being implemented.
- Life Esidimeni death toll at 100 and risingMore than 100 deaths have now been linked to the Life Esidimeni tragedy in Gauteng.
The 1300 psychiatric patients were transferred from Life Esidimeni to 27 NGOs around the province in an apparent bid to save money.
Health Ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba‚ in his report on the deaths earlier this month‚ criticised the department's decision to transfer patients facilities which were not licensed.
Makgoba said then Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu's decision to authorise the move was reckless and unwise.
Mahlangu resigned on the eve of the release of the report.
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