By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The second week into the cross-examination of former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in the Pretoria high court started with interruptions and her being reprimanded for not answering questions properly.
Advocate Adila Hassim, representing public interest law centre Section 27 and the families of the mental healthcare users, dealt with the letter from the Society of Psychiatrists on their primary concern about the reduction of beds at Life Esidimeni.
The Life Esidimeni inquest is being heard by the Pretoria high court.
In her version of events, Mahlangu told the court that she did not make the final decision to cancel the longstanding Life Esidimeni service agreement contract.
She pointed the finger at then-premier David Makhura and his budget committee that ordered the department to cut costs in a series of highly confidential meetings.
She added that former health head of department Barney Selebano and head of mental health Makgabo Manamela were privy to the discussions and were part of the expert teams that implemented the transfer project.
The pair previously told the court they were operating using strict orders by Mahlangu, who threatened them with dismissal if they objected.
Lawyers representing Selebano and Manamela are also among those expected to test Mahlangu’s version of events.
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