The inescapable reality is that 94 people died on Qedani Mahlangu's watch, writes Lebogang Seale.
Johannesburg – The damning report into the deaths of 94 psychiatric patients who were relocated from Life Esidimeni to NGOs across Gauteng is a cruel indictment on the entire state, and not just the provincial government.
In his report, health ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba highlighted the sustained cover-up of the number of deaths and the discrepancies in some of the information provided by Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and two senior departmental officials.
What is chilling about this tragedy is the ombudsman’s finding that starvation and dehydration in overcrowded NGOs, and not mental illness, were among the main factors responsible for the deaths. That people can perish from starvation and dehydration in this day and age is despicable and beyond belief. The fact that the NGOs didn't have the requisite skills for such patients is well documented, but even more disconcerting is the fact that the MEC persisted with the relocations despite repeated warnings and pleas.
If anything, the deaths show the brazen arrogance of public officials and politicians who continue to show scant regard for the welfare and interests of the citizens they are meant to serve. As the ombud rightly pointed out, Mahlangu’s attitude was one of a politician quick to lash out but slow to consider. She repeatedly scorned critics calling on her to reconsider her decision, but instead steadfastly stuck to what effectively became a homicidal plan.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura and his administration deserve our respect for initiating the ombud’s probe via the national Department of Health, but the premier too must accept some of the culpability.
We would have expected Makhura to have suspended Mahlangu when the probe began, particularly given his vocal record on issues of ethical governance and accountability, notwithstanding the presumption of innocence until guilt has been proved.
We are heartened by the alacrity of Mahlangu’s response on Wednesday, resigning as health MEC, but the matter cannot be allowed to rest there.
While her resignation has been welcome across society and political circles, with some pointing out that is is rare in South African politics, quitting alone is not enough. She must take full responsibility as the political head, and we must get to the bottom of these senseless deaths.
The families of the patients must get justice and must be compensated for the senseless loss of lives. Sadly, it is we, the taxpayers, who will foot the bill while politicians get away with murder.
Their loved ones will never come back and no amount of money will help heal the wounds, but we hope that Makgoba’s report provides answers to their questions and will help them find closure.
However glowing Mahlangu’s track record might have been in provincial politics until now, having served as an MEC in a number of successive administrations, the inescapable reality is that 94 people died on her watch. And this was so unnecessary.
This must be investigated by the National Prosecuting Authority and the guilty tried in a public court, starting with the erstwhile MEC herself.
For far too long now, South Africa has been a country where there is little or no consequence for bad decisions by politicians and public servants. Now, though, we are gifted with a rare opportunity to show that this is not the case, particularly not in Gauteng and especially not on Makhura’s watch.
If we can achieve that, then maybe, just maybe, those tragic 94 deaths might not have been in vain.
* Lebogang Seale is assistant editor of The Saturday Star and The Sunday Independent.