“Other evidence that implicates Makhura includes the claim by Dr Barney Selebano‚ the Head of the Gauteng Health Department‚ that the ‘decision to start deinstitutionalisation of mental health care users from LE was undertaken in the Office of the Premier of Gauteng‚ the Honourable David Makhura‚ together with the HOD’ (page 30 of the Ombudsman's report)‚” Bloom added.
He said Makhura is due to testify at the hearings along with Selebano and former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu‚ whose whereabouts is still in doubt according to a report on Sunday that she is not a student at the London School of Economics as previously reported.
“The ANC Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee has admitted that they gave her leave of absence to study in the UK‚ so they can be contacted to get her address.
“I am encouraged by Judge Dikgang Moseneke's assurance that the hearings will not conclude without the appearance of all key players.
“They should face tough questioning so that we finally get the truth about the Esidimeni tragedy‚” Bloom said.