PsySSA Office

Today, South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day , in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960. This massacre occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Almost almost 70 people died and more than 180 people were wounded when police opened fire on a peaceful crowd that was protesting the country’s pass laws.

This year Human rights Day falls under the theme: “The Year of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: Promoting and Deeping a Human Rights Culture Across Society”. The theme is in line with the celebration of the centenary of former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. He advocated for human rights for all and believed that to deny “people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”.

Today, “is a day which, more than many others, captures the essence of the struggle of the South African people and the soul of our non-racial democracy.”  Thus, today should be a day of reflection, rejoice and mindfulness that all our actions should strive for the fulfilment of Human Rights of all people .

PsyTalk Issue 1 2018 is now online!

PsySSA members receive access to our quarterly bulletin showcasing the work of PsySSA’s Divisions, Standing Committees and Branches. We trust that you will find the content topical and relevant to our context where we choose to practice our profession.

The Life Esidimeni Arbitration Hearings

Johannesburg – Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke has given the South African government three months to compensate the families of those who died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The compensation is in excess of R1m for each claimant.

“It cannot be later than the 19th of June 2018,” said Moseneke.

“The government of the Republic of South Africa – as represented by the national minister of health, the premier of Gauteng and members of the executive government – are ordered to pay an agreed amount of R20 000 to each of the claimants listed in annexure A and B in respect of funeral expenses.

“The government is ordered to pay R180 000 to each of the claimants listed in annexure A, B and C in respect of the shock and psychological trauma.

“The government is ordered to pay R1m to each of the claimants listed in annexure A, B and C as appropriate relief or compensation for the government’s breach of Constitution.”

He slammed the government – particularly former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, former Gauteng health department head Dr Barney Selebano and former Gauteng health department of health director Dr Makgabo Manamela – for the manner in which they handled the Marathon Project. He found that their decision to move the mental health care patients was “irrational and unconstitutional”.

A total of 144 psychiatric patients died after being moved from Life Esidimeni to various unlicensed NGOs. Many of the families had not been informed about the intention to move their loved ones.

Some family members found their loved ones in mortuaries and, in some cases, after post-mortems had been conducted, plastic and paper had been found in their stomachs.

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