The Gauteng Provincial Government is expected to pay R47 million in arbitration costs for the Life Esidimeni saga.
This was revealed by DA’s Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom.
According to Bloom, the figure was given to him by Gauteng Premier David Makhura in the form of answers to questions Bloom had asked Makhura.
“More than half the expense was spent on the Emoyeni Conference Centre as the venue for the hearings, which cost R8.4 million,” he said.
Other major expenses include the following:
Community radio stations and newspapers for the announcement for families to register for the arbitration - R2 048 913
Mirror Effect Trading for video production and streaming services - R1 498 781
Werkmans Attorneys - R1 188 913
Vila Mora Express for transport services - R1 121 760
Wits Language School for sign language and interpretation services - R639 679
Uwhakaziso Trading & Projects for recording services - R423 250
“It remains to be seen if enough has been budgeted to cover the financial award that former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke will be announcing tomorrow for the relatives of those who died,” Bloom said.
Bloom also noted that financial compensation is necessary but not sufficient for the Esidimeni tragedy, which also requires the criminal prosecution of all those responsible for the deaths.
