Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it welcomes the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prosecute those implicated in the deaths of mental health patients in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.
The DA was responding to the NPA announcement that it will institute criminal prosecutions against officials implicated in the 2015-2016 Life Esidimeni tragedy.
At least 141 mentally ill patients died after being irregularly transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to unlicensed NGOs in Gauteng.
Commenting on the matter on Monday, 13 April 2026, Gauteng MPL Dr Jack Bloom stated that the DA in Gauteng “welcomes the decision by the NPA to prosecute those implicated in the deaths of mental health patients in the Life Esidimeni tragedy”.
Dr. Bloom added: “This is long overdue, as families have had to wait 10 years for justice for the deaths of their loved ones.
“It is essential that all those identified by the inquest are prosecuted on the full range of possible charges, including culpable homicide.
“This should include former Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, as politicians should not escape accountability for gross negligence that leads to suffering and death.”
“We still need to see the actual charges and who is being charged, but hopefully they do a good job, and the court will decide on culpability and punishment.”
Dr. Bloom said the DA will continue to champion the well-being of mental health patients “who are still neglected in Gauteng hospitals”, as seen in the recent report of the Health Ombud on the death of a psychiatric patient at the George Mukhari Hospital.
“Successful prosecutions will serve as a deterrent by showing real consequences for those who abuse vulnerable patients,” said Dr. Bloom.
