PRESS STATEMENT | Life Esidimeni Families on the NPA’s Ongoing Delay in Prosecution Decision

19 August 2025, Johannesburg – SECTION27 welcomes an indication from the NPA, in a meeting yesterday with families, that they are moving towards a decision on prosecution in the Life Esidimeni matter. We are, however, concerned with the extensive delays by the NPA, even in the face of the inquest decision and a legal opinion that the NPA has obtained that both support the pursuit of criminal charges against Qedani Mahlangu, the former Gauteng Health MEC, and Dr Makgabo Manamela, the former Director of Mental Health in Gauteng. We urge the NPA to act now with urgency to institute a prosecution and bring to an end the delay of justice in this case.

Full statement from the Life Esidimeni families:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Pearl Nicodemus | nicodemus@section27.org.za | 082 298 2636