Suspended Head of Gauteng Health Department Dr Barney Selebano says the decision to terminate the long-standing contract with Life Esidimeni was taken to save costs due to pressure from the national treasury. He says it was not done with any malicious intent. 

He admitted however admitted that there was no due diligence before the patients were moved to I'll-equipped NGOs. Selebano is being cross-examined about his role in the bungled relocations and the subsequent deaths of 143 mentally ill patients at the Life Esidimeni Arbitration hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg.. 

LISTEN to the report by SABC journalist, Wisani Makhubele....