South Africa’s Health Minister Halts Eviction of Mental Healthcare Facility

Why this is here: The Talisman Foundation’s electricity bill had been incorrectly calculated for nearly five years due to a meter registered to a different property.

Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s national Health Minister, intervened to halt the eviction of residents from the Talisman Foundation in Johannesburg.

The foundation provides long-term care for roughly 200 people with mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In February, the foundation received notice to vacate its premises by May 14, 2026, raising fears of a repeat of the 2016 Life Esidimeni tragedy.

Motsoaledi convened a meeting with stakeholders—including Gauteng’s Health MEC Faith Mazibuko and representatives from SECTION27 and the Old Apostolic Church—resulting in a three-month reprieve from eviction. The meeting revealed the Old Apostolic Church decided to sell the property in 2003, but a long-standing dispute over an inaccurate electricity bill complicated matters.

A team now seeks families who removed loved ones due to the eviction threat, to re-establish care. While the Department of Health intends to assess purchasing the property, the foundation’s long-term security remains dependent on completing that sale within the three-month window.