Families affected by the Life Esidimeni tragedy have submitted a memorandum to the NPA, urging it to prioritise the prosecution of two government officials.

In July, Judge Teffo ruled in the Life Esidimeni inquest that former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former Gauteng Mental Health head Dr Makgabo Manamela were liable for the deaths of eight patients.

The tragedy involved the deaths of 144 people at psychiatric facilities in Gauteng, resulting from causes such as starvation and neglect.

Section27, a public interest law organisation focused on education and healthcare advocacy, joined disability sector members, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, and other parties in calling for the prosecution of Mahlangu and Manamela for their roles in the tragedy.

Pearl Nicodemus, the communication officer for Section27, noted it has been over three months since Judge Teffo’s ruling that the patients’ deaths, following autopsies, were due to unnatural causes, with Mahlangu and Manamela held responsible.

“The families have endured a painful eight-year wait for justice. Despite a landmark judgment indicating that government officials should be held personally accountable, the NPA has not yet pursued criminal charges against Mahlangu and Manamela,” Nicodemus said.

The Life Esidimeni families and their allies are calling on the NPA to file charges without further delay.

On the same day, NPA regional spokesperson for Gauteng Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, received and acknowledged the memorandum.

The memorandum requested that the NPA ‘expedite prosecution proceedings, ensure accountability, and commit to regular updates for affected families’.

“The Life Esidimeni matter has been described as one of the greatest human rights violations by the state in South Africa’s democratic era,” read the statement.

Mahanjana explained that referring the case for an inquest allowed the courts to assess the cause of death and potential criminal liability.

“It’s essential that a decision be reached to provide justice and closure for the families and the public. The NPA takes this matter very seriously, and we are working toward a comprehensive, well-informed decision.”

Mahanjana added that while the inquest outcome does not guarantee a trial-ready case, the DPP is prioritising the matter, with further investigation underway if necessary.