President Jacob Zuma says he will not appoint a commission of inquiry into the deaths of more than 100 psychiatric patients at Life Esidimeni in Gauteng.
In a written reply, Zuma told Parliament yesterday that Health Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba had done extensive work on the deaths.
This would not require him to do more work on the tragedy.
Zuma’s reply came after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed in the National Assembly last week that several NGOs had been shut down and patients transferred to other facilities.
The deaths caused outrage among the public and led to disciplinary action against the relevant officials.
Zuma said he had been briefed by Motsoaledi in February after the release of the report by the ombudsman. This was immediately after the release of the report.
“The investigation that was conducted by the Health ombud was comprehensive and sufficient with regard to assisting the government with information to deal with the matter at hand. As such I am not intending to establish a commission of inquiry,” said Zuma.
The report by Makgoba cost former Health MEC in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu, her job. Mahlangu was heavily criticised by Makgoba in Parliament in
February.
He accused her of not taking action even after initial reports in November showed more patients had died than the reports she had at hand.