Honourable Speaker,
It speaks volumes about a government that through reckless carelessness consigns it’s mentally–ill to Non-Governmental Organizations that were not properly vetted, accredited or properly equipped and resourced to treat such patients.
More than 100 souls unnecessarily lost their lives in this continuing tragedy. Such negligence and culpability is tantamount to murder and government through its delegation of responsibility to ill-suited and ill-equipped entities, is a party to this horrific crime.
Officials at the Gauteng Health Department involved in the irregular issuing of licences to such, un-vetted, ill-equipped and under-resourced NGO’s must be held criminally accountable. A full forensic audit must be conducted with two fold intent, firstly to identify and hold to account all individuals involved in allowing such tragedy to occur and secondly to identify processes that must be put in place to ensure that such tragedy never occurs again.
Minister your ill–fated policy to “de-institutionalise” when not having the requisite outsourcing checks and balances in place has now cost the lives of over 100 South Africans. How is it possible that patients were allowed to be transferred from licenced to illegitimate institutions?
The Office of Health Standards compliance is just as much to blame! Where were they? Why was there no vetting of these NGO’s?
Honourable Speaker, It is unconscionable that vulnerable citizens, citizens who have placed their faith and trust in government to look after their well-being, have had such trust betrayed in such demonic, reckless, careless and negligent manner. Basic Human Rights have been trampled underfoot by the state and these NGO’s. This will forever be a shame on this government. Let us ensure that such diabolical mal-treatment never occurs again.
The IFP sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those that lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.
I thank you.
Contact:
Hon CT Msimang, MP
082 452 2650