JOHANNESBURG — 2016 · Major Tragedy

The Life Esidimeni Tragedy

Under InvestigationSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

To cut costs, the Gauteng Department of Health ended its contract with private care provider Life Esidimeni and in 2016 moved more than 1,500 psychiatric patients, mostly to under-equipped or unlicensed NGOs. Over the following months 144 patients died of starvation, dehydration and neglect. The Health Ombud's February 2017 report called the decision 'unwise and flawed'. In 2018 an arbitration chaired by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke awarded compensation to families. In July 2024 an inquest court found two former officials had negligently caused nine of the deaths, opening the way to prosecution.

Date: 2016
Place: Gauteng, South Africa, Johannesburg, ZA
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Under Investigation
Coordinates: -26.2040, 28.0470 ↗

Timeline of Events

2016Life Esidimeni patients were moved to NGOs.
February 2017The Health Ombud's report was published.

March 2018The Moseneke arbitration awarded compensation to families.
10 July 2024An inquest found two former officials negligent.

Sources

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