Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

NPA moves to prosecute over Life Esidimeni tragedy

Loading player...
More than a decade after the deaths of at least 141 psychiatric patients, there may finally be accountability in the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it will pursue charges, including culpable homicide, following a 2024 inquest that found former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and mental health director Makgabo Manamela liable for some of the deaths. The patients died between 2015 and 2016 after being moved from Life Esidimeni facilities to unlicensed NGOs as part of a cost-cutting exercise, many left without adequate care, food or medication. Phemelo speaks to SECTION27’s Tendai Mafuma and Life Esidimeni Family Committee spokesperson Christine Nxumalo about what this long-awaited step toward justice means for families.
13 Apr 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Health Committee steps up oversight at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee is calling for continued improvements in service delivery, governance and operational capacity at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Following an oversight visit, the Committee assessed progress on fire remedial works, as well as conditions affecting patients and staff at the major…
18 Aug 3PM 16 min

Public Protector flags systemic failures in NSFAS funding

More than 40,000 students at 76 higher education institutions were improperly funded to the value of about R5.1 billion, according to findings cited by the Public Protector. The investigation has uncovered broader concerns around NSFAS administration, governance, funding and oversight, with more than R2 billion reportedly recovered. Speaking to Phemelo,…
18 Aug 3PM 20 min

Ramokgopa slams municipalities over electricity tariffs

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is taking aim at municipalities for increasing electricity tariffs to offset the cost of non-paying customers. Ramokgopa says the practice unfairly burdens customers who pay their bills and contributes to growing municipal debt to Eskom. The minister says proposed changes to the Electricity Pricing…
18 Aug 2PM 27 min

ANC Caucus calls for Burke’s removal from finance committees

The ANC Caucus is calling for DA MP Dr Mark Burke to be removed from Parliament’s finance-related committees over allegations linked to his fintech company, Kastelo. The allegations, reportedly contained in a Reserve Bank affidavit, concern the movement of capital across borders and possible breaches of exchange control regulations, involving…
18 Aug 2PM 12 min

SADC Summit focuses on migration, security and jobs

SADC leaders are meeting in Durban for the 46th Ordinary Summit, with migration, regional security, economic development and job creation high on the agenda. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to take over as chair of the 16-member bloc, with South Africa leading SADC for the next year. Ramaphosa says migration…
17 Aug 3PM 14 min
All episodes