A total of 150 more families who lost loved ones in the Life Esidimeni tragedy or are related to survivors, have come forward with claims. A Times Select report says this could push the estimated R160m payout by the Gauteng provincial government to about R300m, although the new claimants are still being verified.

At the same time, the Gauteng Premier’s spokesperson, Thabo Masebe, said there was ‘no indication that national Treasury will provide money for paying the award’. The office of the Gauteng Premier will foot the R160m bill for 134 people or families that must be paid by 19 June.

Masebe said they were on track to pay on time. The Gauteng office is checking through 150 new applications, said Masebe, and there appeared to be ‘some duplicates’. ‘There are people coming forward for money when other family members have already claimed for it.’ He said there had been some conflict between families over whom should receive the payout.

Attorney Sasha Stevenson said: ‘Where there have been family disputes, we have arranged for pro bono mediation, which has so far been successful. A number of mediations are still coming up.’

Legal Aid Advocate Lilla Crouse, who represented 68 survivors, said families have decided on an individual basis. ‘Not all decisions are made yet.’ She said no money would be paid out until there was clarity on how the money would be allocated to the mental health patients.

‘On 19 June we will place the money in interest-bearing accounts and will only pay out once we are certain that there are no disputes and that the mental health care patients are fully protected. This may mean that the money might not reach the claimants on 19 June, but they will receive the interest once the money is paid to them.’

Full Times Select report