The Pretoria Hight Court yet clenches Life Esidimeni inquest with Judge Mmonoa Teffo seated, which investigates whether anyone should be held accountable for the deaths of 144 disturbed patients, who died after being moved to ill-equipped NGOs in 2016.
Former Gauteng health deputy director-general, Dr Richard Lebethe denies being part of the project of moving patients to different NGOs since taking the stand at the Life Esidimeni inquest last week.
He insisted that he only became involved after deaths were reported. Lebethe stand-firm to not being involved in assessing the different NGOs that patients were moved to.
Lebethe was prior questioned by Advocate Thabang Pooe who represents families of the 44 patients who lost their lives.
Advocate Pooe was concerned about the involvement of the former Gauteng health deputy director-general to the project and asked him about the two letters from the health officials.
Lebethe denied knowing any two letters from the health officials who warned against moving disturbed patients.
Furthermore, today he was questioned about the emails and meetings that proves that he played a vital role in the project. An email sent to Lebethe by former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu was read at the inquestby Advocate Benedict Mahlapi.
“Please get our legal team to get involved in this process. Head of department and Dr Lebethe you have to drive this process to provide leadership, these NGOs are dishonest! Please treat this urgently,” Mahlangu’s email.
