By Chris Gilili
Former head of mental health at the Gauteng Department of Health, Dr Makgabo Manamela, said they knew that some of the NGOs that mental healthcare users were sent to did not have operating licences.
In 2016, following the termination of a contract between the department and the Life Esidimeni group, the department prematurely moved patients to NGOs.
Dr Manamela, who took the stand in the inquest over two weeks ago, is one of the top officials from the department who have been called to account for the tragedy which resulted in the death of 144 mental health patients.
The patients’ cause of death included starvation and neglect.
Last week the inquest, taking place at the Pretoria High Court was adjourned, when Manamela said she didn’t recognise parts of a report she is said to have submitted to the department about the Life Esidimeni transfers.
“My hands were tied. Because I was told that the termination of contracts with Life Esidimeni was a done deal,” she said.
She said the then MEC for health, Qedani Mahlangu, said there was no turning back once the decision had been taken. They were given three months to finish the transfer.
“It was better than nothing. We worked tirelessly within that time frame,” Manamela said.
“We knew that some of the NGOs were not operating properly as some did not have licences. Everything was rushed, due to the time given. I took some of the decisions in liaison with MEC Mahlangu. She also knew that some of those NGOs were dishonest but forced us to approve patients being transferred.”
During cross examination Manamela also admitted that they never asked for any extended time to transfer the patients.
The Life Esidimeni inquest is set to continue for the next nine weeks. Since the commencement of the inquest in July last year, over 35 witnesses have testified.
The inquest has been set to investigate whether anyone should be held criminally liable and prosecuted for the death of mental patients that were moved from Life Esidimeni to several NGOs. Judge Mmonoa Teffo is leading the inquest, and it continues through the week.
Pictured above: Dr Makgabo Manamela
Image source: Chris Gilili
