Kairos Centre accused of negligent conduct after four psychiatric patients died

The Democratic Alliance said it will lay criminal charges against Kairos Centre on Thursday for negligent conduct after four patients have died at the centre.

THE CENTRE HOUSES MORE THAT 120 PATIENTS

The Kairos Centre houses more than 120 psychiatric patients in Cullinan.

The centre is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development. It is licensed to provide Community Based Mental Health Services by the Gauteng Department of Health.

It is also subsidised for the mental health services it provides by the Gauteng Department of Health.

DA Bronwynn Engelbrecht will lay criminal charges against Kairos Centre on Thursday for negligent conduct at the Cullinan Police Station in Tshwane.

“This follows the unfortunate death of Shane Jordaan (30), and two other mentally ill patients of the Kairos Centre. Jordaan, a mentally impaired patient, went missing from the centre on 4 June under very questionable circumstances. His body was later found dumped in a ditch close to Cullinan.”

According to a statement by the DA Bronwynn Engelbrecht on Wednesday, a female patient had also committed suicide.

ALSO READ: Mother finds daughter dead in wheelchair unattended at Helen Joseph Hospital

“We have also learnt of another tragic death at this centre of a female patient who committed suicide. This recent incident brings the number of deaths to four and echoes the memories of the Life Esidimeni tragedy, where 144 patients died due to the Gauteng Department of Health’s negligence.”

Engelbrecht said there are claims that patients housed at this centre are not being given the treatment and care they are entitled to.

Engelbrecht said by laying criminal charges, the police will investigate the cause of the death of all four patients and the conduct of the centre.

Some of the allegations patients with special needs are being neglected, with monitoring of whether they are taking their medication, and rooms being left in a filthy state.

THE CENTRE IS ‘PLAGUED WITH THE LEAKING OF RAW SEWERAGE‘

The centre is reportedly also plagued with the leaking of raw sewerage.

“Should it be found that there were elements of neglect and negligence, those responsible should face severe consequences of their irresponsible actions and the law should take its course so that the families of the victims can have closure.”

Contacted for comment, the centre manager Susan van Niekerk said the DA was welcome to lay charges.

“We don’t have anything to hide.”

When asked about the deaths at the centre Van Niekerk said they had done nothing wrong and that two of the deaths were natural deaths.

“We have the death certificates to prove it.”

Motalatale Modiba, Gauteng Department of Health, Head of Communication, said it was aware of three deaths that occurred at the facility.

“The circumstances around the deaths are being investigated by the mental health unit. The death of Shane Jordaan is being investigated by the South African Police Services.”

Modiba furthermore said the environmental health practitioners visited the centre in June.

“The environmental health practitioners visited the centre on June 28, 2021, with the mental health Directorate to assess the condition of the centre – a report with recommendations of gaps to be corrected within specific time frames was given to the centre management.

“A team of social workers and occupational therapists has been assigned to assess the mental health care users since July 15, 2021.”

ALSO READ: Watch: Sushi, the Labrador rescued from drainpipe after being trapped for hours