The Life Esidimeni Inquest has been postponed for a fifth time, meaning another agonising wait for family members of the deceased. One family member, Christine Nxumalo, shares in her own words some extracts from her journal on the inquest proceedings, the long wait, and dealing with grief.
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Daily Sun/ Lucky Morajane)
Just over three years ago, on 18 March 2018, Justice Dikgang Moseneke ordered the government to financially compensate the victims and families of the Life Esidimeni tragedy in which 144 people died at psychiatric facilities. The judge also ordered that the dead be memorialised.
To date R6.5 million of the R120 million budgeted has been paid out. While families involved directly in the arbitration have received compensation, others are still waiting. “The difficulty according to the premier’s office is that they are verifying the applicants and won’t pay out until this happens,” said the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson for health, Jack Bloom.