Former Gauteng Mental Health Services chief Mmakgaba Manamela says her former boss, Health MEC Kedani Mahlangu, was an autocrat who never accepted expert advice.
Dr Manamela is being cross-examined by Mahlangu’s legal team during a hearing on whether anyone can be prosecuted for the deaths of 144 mental health patients who were transferred from Lifecare Esidimeni to various unlicensed and ill-equipped NGOs.
The hearing is being held in the High Court in Pretoria.
Manamela was responding to questions from Mahlangu’s legal representative, lawyer Lawrence Hodes.
“The point I’m trying to make to you, Doctor, is that he didn’t have direct access to her, so it didn’t matter what type of autocratic management style she followed. I say this because she said there is no going back, that the decision has been made and is final and if someone disagrees, they can see what else can be done,” says Manamela.
