South African court finds negligence in Life Esidimeni tragedy, where 144 patients died in 2016 due to transfers to NGOs.

In South Africa's Life Esidimeni tragedy, a court found that the deaths of nine patients transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to understaffed, under-equipped NGOs were negligently caused by Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and Dr Makgabo Manamela. The full judgment revealed that health department officials can be held accountable for deaths under their watch. The tragedy resulted in 144 deaths in 2016, with 141 confirmed as deaths due to negligence. The Gauteng government is planning a monument in memory of the victims and is finalizing financial claims for the families of the deceased.

August 01, 2024
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