DA supporters demand Makhura's resignation, ahead of motion of no confidence
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding the resignation of Gauteng Premier David Makhura for his government's role in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.
Hundreds of DA supporters gathered to protest outside Makhura's office in Johannesburg this morning.
More than a 100 mentally ill patients died after they were transferred from Life Esidimeni to various NGOs in the province.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane says government needs to be judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
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"The ANC government left more than a thousand of its most vulnerable citizens in the hands of people it knew nothing about, and then turned its back on them. This ANC government allowed more than a hundred mental health patients to die from starvation, dehydration, diarrhoea, pneumonia and seizures," says Maimane.
The protest took place hours before a motion of no confidence in Premier Makhura was due to be debated in the provincial legislature.
Maimane says Makhura cannot stay in office until 2019.
"His government is responsible for the deaths of more than a hundred mental health patients - deaths that would have been prevented had he listened to the many warnings," says Maimane.