When writer Harriet Perlman and photographer Mark Lewis set about documenting the lives of the families whose loved ones had been so horribly killed in the Life Esidimeni tragedy, they were determined to honour the dead, and to recognise the sufferings of those left behind. They travelled, often long distances to people’s homes, and listened to their stories. Family members brought out a picture that they selected of their brother, parents, sister or child who had died Each picture held meaning for those left behind. They met with families grappling with the unimaginable loss of loved ones. Their heartbreaking stories, accompanied by powerful photographs, forge a deep connection with the victims. These portraits are not just faces on a page, but a testament to the human cost of this tragedy.

This book pays tribute to the people who had someone they loved cruelly taken from them and tells the story of those who fought back.

We need everyone in this country to see and hear this story. We must put it out there so people understand what happened, how it happened and why. Or will we just forget and learn nothing? I lost my sister in the tragedy and some mornings I still can’t get up. It’s the manner in which she died that makes it so hard to bear. We all just want answers. We must continue to speak out.
Christine Nxumalo, Life Esidimeni Family Committee

This is a harrowing account of the death, torture and disappearance of utterly vulnerable mental health care users in the care of an admittedly delinquent provincial government. It is also a story of the searing and public anguish of the families of the affected health-care users and of the collective shock and pain of many other caring people in our land and elsewhere in the world.
Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Life Esidimeni Arbitration

In late 2015 and 2016, South Africa witnessed a horrific human rights tragedy. 144 people entrusted to the public health system died from neglect, starvation and torture. This book delves into this heartbreaking event, the Life Esidimeni tragedy, offering a powerful narrative built on the stories of those most affected.
But this book is not merely a chronicle of loss; it is a celebration of resilience and courage.

It shines a light on the tireless efforts of organisations like SECTION27, SADAG, and the Life Esidimeni Family Committee. These unsung heroes fought relentlessly for truth, justice and accountability, holding those in power responsible for their actions. It is also a stark reminder of how horribly wrong things can get with an arrogant, callous and unaccountable political leadership.

But a measure of justice has been achieved. Presided over by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, families were awarded damages for the loss of their loved ones in the arbitration in 2021. Then on 10 July 2024, Judge Mmonoa Teffo pronounced her findings from the Inquest.

Judge Mmonoa Teffo’s court finding, that Ms Mahlangu and Dr Manamela created the circumstances in which deaths were inevitable, is a momentous acknowledgement of individual accountability and one that families have long been waiting for.
Sasha Stevenson, Director SECTION27

But the fight for true justice continues. The book explores the ongoing struggle for better mental healthcare in South Africa and the urgent need to ensure such a tragedy never happens again. This is a call to action, urging readers to engage with the ongoing fight for mental health reform.