SECTION27 (Incorporating the Aids Law Project) welcomes the opportunity to make submissions to the National Department of Health on the reform to the Mental Healthcare Act 17 of 2002 (“the MHCA”).
In mid-2015, the Gauteng Department of Health in South Africa canceled a contract with Life Esidimeni, a subsidiary of a large hospital group that ran four facilities housing almost 2,000 people with mental illnesses. The termination of the contract and the chaotic transfers of people that followed resulted in enormous Continue Reading
10 July 2025, Johannesburg – 10 July 2025 marks exactly one year since Judge Mmonoa Teffo handed down the Life Esidimeni Inquest judgment. The inquest found that the conduct of Ms Qedani Mahlangu (the former Gauteng Health MEC) and Dr. Makgabo Manamela (the former Director of Mental Health in Gauteng) Continue Reading
27 May 2025, Johannesburg – On 28 and 29 May 2025, the National Department of Health will convene a national Mental Health Review Boards Meeting to discuss Human Rights in Mental Health, roles and functions of Mental Health Review Boards, optimal functioning and key procedures. This meeting takes place over 6 Continue Reading
As we mark October as Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded of the critical need for justice for the victims of the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The events that unfolded have, over nearly a decade, highlighted the rights of individuals with mental health conditions and underscored the government’s responsibility to Continue Reading
On 29 October 2024, marking the end of Mental Health Awareness month, the Life Esidimeni families will be joined by members of the disability sector, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), SECTION27 and other interested parties, in a picket to hand over a memorandum to the National Prosecuting Continue Reading
23 October 2023, Johannesburg – The Life Esidimeni Inquest will resume on 26 October 2023, at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria where SECTION27 will argue that the former Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, the former Director of Mental Health Directorate, Dr Makgabo Manamela and the owner of Precious Angels Continue Reading
LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST TO RESUME TODAY 17 January 2022, Johannesburg – The Inquest into the Life Esidimeni tragedy will be resuming today, Monday 17 January 2022, in a virtual sitting of the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division) before Judge Mmonoa Teffo. SECTION27 continues to represent 44 of the bereaved families in this important process to determine criminal Continue Reading
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 Continue Reading
LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST ADJOURNED BEFORE END OF COURT TERM 15 Sept 2021, Johannesburg — Two and a half days before the end of the court term, the Life Esidimeni Inquest has once again been adjourned by Judge Mmonoa Teffo to allow potentially implicated people to secure legal representation. This Continue Reading
LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST TO RESUME UNTIL THE END OF THE COURT TERM 30 August 2021 – The Inquest into the Life Esidimeni tragedy resumes at the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division) today, Monday 30 August 2021. The proceedings will continue virtually before Judge Mmonoa Teffo. Proceedings are expected Continue Reading
LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST ADJOURNED UNTIL 30 AUGUST 2021 3 August 2021 — The Inquest into the deaths of the Life Esidimeni tragedy has once again been adjourned, this time until the 30th of August 2021. This postponement, announced yesterday, will allow for legal representatives of potentially implicated parties to familiarise Continue Reading
