15 May 2018

The ANC Gauteng Province welcomes the dismissal of yet another ill-conceived and nefarious motion of no confidence on the leadership of Gauteng Premier Comrade David Makhura by the desperate Democratic Alliance today at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

We are appalled but not surprised by the political opportunism and grandstanding by the DA. This act of desperation by the party confirms  that the DA is in disarray and is prepared to stoop so low as to use the tragedy of the Life Esidimeni to seek political relevance.

The DA’s frantic conduct is indicative of a party that has scant regard for the dignity of the families of the deceased mental health patients who have on numerous occasions impassionedly pleaded that this tragedy should not be used for political point scoring.

 Following the aftermath of the Life Esidimeni tragedy Comrade Makhura and the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) accepted full accountability and responsibility instead of taking an escapist approach and have committed to ensure that the affected families get redress and justice. Furthermore the Premier has profusely apologized for what happened and has committed himself as the political head of the provincial government to take corrective and remedial action to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

 It must be noted that the Health Ombudsman, Professors Malegapuru Makgoba and the alternative dispute resolution Arbitrator retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke whose reports  have been overwhelmingly welcomed did not find any wrong doing on the part of the Premier.  

We remain conscious of the fact that no amount of money will ever be enough to compensate for the loss of life, the emotional shock and trauma incurred by families and loved ones as a result of the transfer of mental health care patients to ill-equipped NGOs (some operating illegally). 

We reaffirm our confidence in the leadership of the ANC Gauteng Provincial Government led by Comrade Makhura. We further welcome the fact that the government continues to cooperate with all processes that are aimed at ensuring redress to surviving patients and affected families and the overhauling of the healthcare system in the province to ensure that we never get to experience such a tragedy again.  

We reiterate our call that state institutions and law enforcement agencies should not delay further investigations in the circumstances that led to the Life Esidimeni tragedy and the taking of appropriate action against those found to have transgressed the law.

Jointly issued by the ANC Gauteng Province and ANC Caucus at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature

For more information please contact:

Motalatale Modiba

ANC Gauteng Province

Media Liaison Office / Spokesperson

072 515 3022

or

Kgapa Mabusela

ANC Caucus GPL

Manager: Media and Communications

0812408192