JOHANNESBURG- Gauteng premier David Makhura, used his state of the province address to apologise once again for the Life Esidimeni tragedy that happened under his watch, where 144 patients tragically died.
He said, “I dip my head in shame and once more apologise that this happened under my watch and I am totally committed to taking corrective and remedial action to ensure that this never happens again,”
“The people of Gauteng, I would like to reiterate that the deaths of 144 Life Esidimeni mental health patients is a tragedy that has left deep wounds and pain in the collective memory of our democratic nation. It is something that should have never happened and should never happen again.
“The Gauteng provincial government had budgeted enough money for mental healthcare services. I would like to reiterate that the transfer of mental healthcare patients to ill-equipped and unlawfully operating NGOs was never approved by myself or the Gauteng executive council.”
Makhura said he would take full responsibility for the tragedy.
“As the head of government in the province I have taken full responsibility and accountability for this tragic loss of life of our fellow citizens. I cannot pass the buck. I am the premier of this province. The buck stops with me. I take responsibility for anything that goes wrong in the administration I lead. I must face the people and fix the problem,” he said.
Photo Credit- eNCA
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