Mental health care expert Professor Abel Pienaar has told the Life Esidimeni Inquest in Pretoria that the omission of crucial information in the patients’ files suggests a lack of proper care and neglect by the caregivers. The 144 patients died of hunger, dehydration and neglect during and after they were moved from the Life Esidimeni facilities to ill-equipped and unregistered NGOs. The Gauteng Health Department closed down the Life Esidimeni facilities in June 2016, citing financial constraints. This prompted the transfer of over 2 000 mental health patients. Pienaar is being cross-examined …
