Esidimeni deaths still not finalised
I am concerned by the slow pace of this investigation more than 18 months after the 144 Esidimeni deaths.
None of the 45 inquests into the deaths of former Life Esidimeni patients who died in illegal NGOs have yet been finalised, with delays blamed on the “complexity of investigation and delay in obtaining information.”
This is according to Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
She said that “dockets and enquiries are still at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for perusal and decision. The investigation team is attending to some of the queries received from the DPP’s office”.
Furthermore, “the following reports are still outstanding: Clinical reports, blood alcohol reports, toxicology reports and statements as per DPP’s queries”.
I am concerned by the slow pace of this investigation [as it is] more than 18 months after the 144 Esidimeni deaths.
Only five detectives are working on the case, and the police say that no finalisation date can be given at this stage.
The police have also not laid any charges in this matter.
The Esidimeni tragedy involved a wide range of crimes, including murder, culpable homicide, corruption, contraventions of the Mental Health Act, fraud, theft, and illegal licenses to NGOs.
We are failed once again by police incompetence, which is delaying accountability and punishment in court for all those implicated in the monstrous acts that led to the deaths of so many helpless people.
