Backlog at Sterkfontein causes trial delays

A murder trail has yet again been postponed as the accused is still only 157th on the psychiatric assessment waiting list.

Jack Bloom, Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow for Health, released a statement wherein he expressed his concern for the worsened backlog of assessing patients at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital.

“The second postponement of the trial of the man accused of murdering Chumani Nqakula, the son of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapusa-Nqakula, highlights the problem of long waiting times for evaluations at the Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital,” he said.

In November last year, Magistrate Albertus Roux ordered murder suspect Carlos Higuera to be referred to Sterkfontein Hospital for evaluation.

“Higuera is 157 on the waiting list for admission, which means that it could take more than a year before he is admitted and evaluated for trial,” Bloom added.

“The backlog at Sterkfontein has worsened since August last year when I was informed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in an official reply that there were 138 male patients awaiting mental evaluation for trial, which would take between eight to 12 month.”

Bloom believes the problem the hospital faces is high staff vacancies.

“In August last year there were 39 vacancies, including 13 professional nurse posts, six nursing assistant posts, three pharmacist posts and three psychologist posts.

“Oscar Pistorius was speedily assessed, and the same should apply in all cases,” Bloom concluded.

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