The High Court in Pretoria will resume cross-examination of former Gauteng mental health chief executive Dr Mmakgabo Manamela on Monday morning.
Manamela previously testified that her former boss, Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu ordered the closure of Life Esidimeni facilities.
Manamela says mentally ill patients have been relocated despite the growing objections of their families. The inquiry is investigating Life Esidimeni’s mass transfer of around 3,000 patients in June 2016. The Gauteng Department of Health shut down the Life Esidimeni project in 2016, citing a lack of funds.
The investigation will continue until December 2, and then it will be postponed until next year.
A Study of the Life of Esidimeni | Most of the patients were transferred to Pretoria, says Dr Manamela:
Families unhappy with the move of loved ones
Meanwhile, in September last year, the man tasked with managing the movement of patients, Levi Masenogi, told the inquest how families were unhappy with the move of their loved ones.
Masenogi says interactions between Mahlangu and the families of Life Esidimeni health service users have at times been characterized by anger and destruction.
SABC News reporter Criselda Lewis provides more details in the report below:
