Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has described the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients in the Life Esidimeni tragedy as one of the the most painful events in post-apartheid South Africa. Motsoaledi was overcome by emotions as he apologised to the affected families at the end of his testimony at the arbitration hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg on Wednesday. 

Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa also apologised and committed to fix the health system during their testimony on Wednesday. As Wisani Makhubele reports, Minister Motsoaledi was the last witness to give evidence as the arbitration will now move to the next stage.

LISTEN to the report...