Despite the 2017 resignation of former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, the state is continuing to pay her legal fees in the Life Esidimeni inquest, a decision which has been questioned by the DA.
Mahlangu’s estimated legal costs are reportedly about R250 000 for a single day’s work.
The DA said she was “the prime culprit who pushed for 1 500 mental patients to be transferred to unfit NGOs that mistreated them, and resulted in the deaths of 144 people”, and that it was “outrageous that taxpayers are paying her exorbitant legal costs”.
DA shadow minister for justice Glynnis Breytenbach has written to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to challenge the State Attorney paying her legal fees, asking for full reasons for the decision – especially considering she resigned some five years ago, reports PoliticsWeb.
This is in addition to the R405m paid to patients and their families who suffered in this tragedy.
The party said Mahlangu should be made to pay a portion of the pay-out costs to the Esidimeni victims, “but the provincial government has refused to apply the Apportionment of Damages Act in this matter”.
Meanwhile, the inquest has been further delayed as her lawyers sort out their payment by the State Attorney.
“The DA will continue to push for justice for the Esidimeni victims, with criminal charges against Mahlangu and others who should appear in court and pay for their legal defence from their own pockets.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Life Esidimeni inquest postponed as MEC’s lawyers unpaid
Esidimeni Inquest roundup: Former Health MEC ‘inspired fear’
SIU recovers funds from Life Esidimeni facilities
Life Esidimeni: former Gauteng mental health boss denies concealing information