4 October 2021 — The Life Esidimeni Inquest has once again been adjourned by Judge Mmonoa Teffo, this time until 15 November 2021, to address continued administrative concerns.
Some potentially implicated people have still not been able to secure legal representation, or cross-examine other witnesses. This comes as the fifth postponement of proceedings so far.
Before the court recess, Dr Richard Lebethe – former acting head of clinical services during the time of the transfer of patients from Life Esidimeni into NGOs – had implicated owners of NGOs who still have not been able to get legal representation. Dr Lebethe was expected to conclude their evidence today, allowing the court to begin with cross examination of Mr Levy Mosenogi, former project manager of the transfer.
Judge Teffo has arranged a case management meeting on Friday 8 October to address these procedural concerns. The Inquest will be adjourned for another 6 weeks until 15 November 2021.
While the cogs of justice do turn slowly, we hope that the Inquest can resume expediently. SECTION27 and the bereaved families of the Life Esidimeni Inquest urge all stakeholders involved with the legal proceedings to work together to resolve these bottlenecks. This is important so that all people who were responsible for the 144 mental healthcare patients who died during the Gauteng Mental Health Marathon Project in 2016 are held accountable.
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