The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it has enough evidence to pursue criminal charges in the Life Esidimeni tragedy, where at least 141 psychiatric patients died after being unlawfully moved from care facilities between 2015 and 2016. The charges are expected to include culpable homicide against those found responsible for the negligent actions that led to the deaths.
An inquest previously found that former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former HOD Makgabo Manamela acted negligently in causing some of the deaths. The NPA says delays in the case were due to its complexity and the volume of evidence, but emphasised that the decision to prosecute is a crucial step toward accountability and justice for the victims’ families.
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