Circumstances surrounding three deaths of mentally ill patients from Pretoria centre investigated
A political party has also laid criminal charges against the special needs centre Kairos House following the death of a patient who went missing from the centre two months ago.
An investigation into circumstances surrounding the deaths of three mentally ill patients from a special needs centre in Pretoria has ensued, according to the Gauteng Department of Health.
Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said three mentally ill patients died in the past months, all from the Kairos House in Rayton, Cullinan.
“We are aware of three deaths that occurred at the facility. The circumstances around the deaths are being investigated by the mental health unit,” Modiba said.
Claims of negligence by the centre erupted shortly after one of the mentally ill patients, Shane Jordaan, went missing on June 4 and was found dead a month later in Cullinan. In June the department said they were investigating the claims of negligence.
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Modiba said Jordaan’s death remained a police investigation while they would also be investigating three other deaths.
He said environmental health practitioners visited the centre on June 28, with the mental health directorate to assess the condition of the centre – a report with recommendations highlighted gaps to be corrected, within specific time frames, and was given to the centre management.
“A team of social workers and occupational therapists has been assigned to assess the mental healthcare users since July 15,” he said.
ALSO READ: Tragic end to search for missing Cullinan man
Meanwhile DA councillor Bronwynn Engelbrecht said she laid criminal charges against Kairos House for negligent conduct.
“Four lives have been lost at the Kairos House centre in two months under very questionable circumstances and there are claims that patients with special needs are being neglected, with no proper regular monitoring of whether they are taking their medication,” Engelbrecht said.
“The first incident was the unfortunate death of Shane Jordaan (30), followed by two other mentally ill patients at Kairos House. The recent incident is the tragic death of a female patient who committed suicide at this centre. Where were the caregivers during that time and why did they not notice that she was not present at the dining hall during lunch?”
She said the disappearance of Jordaan from the centre was a “a clear indication there is a lack of security and proper observation of all patients at this centre”.
Engelbrecht said the centre was cleaned on Thursday in preparation for the Department of Health’s visit on Friday.
“While the department might be fooled by the management of the centre, we will not fall for any cheap stunts. We will ensure that negligence at this centre is exposed and that no stone is left unturned.”
Kairos House centre attorney Oelof de Meyer said he was aware that a DA member would be pressing charges of negligence against the centre.
“We cannot make any comment at this stage due to the fact we want disclosure of the complaint docket, as soon as that happens we will approach the authorities to either have the matter withdrawn or we go to trial. I cannot comment on the matter now as it might be a police investigation.”
When asked about the deaths, de Meyer said they would not comment on that also as it might be related to the case.
Previously speaking to Rekord de Meyer said there was nothing wrong at the centre and that it was inspected monthly and received clearance certificates from the department.
“If there were any dirty rooms as it has been claimed, then the department would have known this.”
The centre is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development. It is licenced to provide community-based mental health services by the Gauteng Department of Health. It is also subsidised for the mental health services it provides by the Gauteng Department of Health.
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