The Life Esidimeni tragedy involved the deaths of 144 people[1][2] at psychiatric facilities in the Gauteng province of South Africa from causes including starvation and neglect.

The incident has been called "the greatest cause of human rights violation" in democratic South Africa,[3] and stimulated discussion about the care of psychiatric and other state patients.

In 2024, a judge ruled that former MEC Qedani Mahlangu and Makgoba Manamela (former head of mental health in Gauteng) could be prosecuted for the deaths of the patients.

[19] The report was released on 1 February 2017, after its publication had been delayed by Mahlangu, who wanted time to peruse the document before providing feedback.

[14] The Health Ombud's report detailed the 94 known cases in which mental healthcare patients had died in Gauteng between 23 March and 19 December 2016.

Moreover, the report found "prima facie evidence" that the department, its officials, and certain NGOs had violated the Constitution, the National Mental Health Act, and the Mental Health Care Act; and that some government actions showed "a total disregard of the rights of the patients and their families."

The NGOs lacked "basic competence and experience," "leadership/managerial capacity," and sufficient resources, all of which precipitated or was otherwise linked with the high number of deaths in those facilities.

Amongst other things, it recommended that the Premier should "consider the suitability" of Mahlangu to continue in her role as MEC, and should institute disciplinary proceedings against Selebano, Manamela, and other department officials.

[7] The Gauteng government reportedly paid R159 million in compensation in June 2018,[8] but in December several hundred families said they had not yet received any payments.

[25] In April 2017, all 144 dockets were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority, which announced in September 2019 that it had not found sufficient evidence to bring charges.

[26] On 19 July 2021, a judicial inquest commenced in the Pretoria High Court to determine the legal cause of each patient's death, with a view towards establishing criminal liability.