Families affected by the Life Esidimeni tragedy handed over a memorandum to the NPA earlier this week, asking them to prioritise the prosecution of two government officials.

In July, Judge Teffo handed down her judgment in the Life Esidimeni inquest and found the former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former Gauteng Mental Health head Dr Makgabo Manamela liable for the death of eight patients.

Section27, a public interest law organisation focused on advocating for basic education and access to healthcare, along with disability sector members, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, and other parties, protested for the prosecution of Mahlangu and Manamela for their roles in the Life Esidimeni case.

Pearl Nicodemus, the communication officer for Section27, noted it has been over three months since Teffo ruled the deaths of the patients on who autopsies were performed were due to unnatural causes. The judge found Mahlangu and Manamela were responsible for these deaths.

“The families have endured a painful eight-year wait for justice. Despite a historic judgment that indicates government officials should be held personally criminally accountable for their roles in the tragedy, the NPA has not yet pursued criminal charges against those implicated, including Mahlangu and Manamela,” said Nicodemus.

“The Life Esidimeni families and their allies call on the NPA to pursue criminal charges against Mahlangu and Manamela without delay.”

In a statement released the same day, NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng division, Lumka Mahanjana stated, “The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) takes note of the Memorandum of demand for justice and accountability for Life Esidimeni victims, which was handed in and accepted by the DPP, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi at our offices.”

In the memorandum, it was requested that the NPA’s office ‘expedite the prosecution proceedings, ensure comprehensive accountability and commit to regular updates to affected families’.

“The Life Esidimeni matter is a tragedy that has been referred to as ‘the greatest cause of human rights violations’ by the state under South Africa’s democracy.”

Mahanjana noted their decision to refer the matter for inquest was so the courts could assist in determining the cause of death of the victims and whether criminal charges can be brought against any party involved.

“It is therefore critical that the decision taken will ensure justice and closure for the families of the victims and the public at large. We want to assure the families as well as organisations representing the families of the victims, that the NPA takes this matter very seriously and we are in the process of making a thorough, well-informed decision.”

“It is very important to note that the outcome of the inquest does not necessarily equate to a trial-ready case, as there may be additional criminal investigations that need to be conducted. However, the DPP is prioritising the matter and a decision will be taken and communicated,” Mahanjana concluded.