Babita Deokaran

Photo: Twitter / @GautengProvince

Babita Deokaran: Family of murdered whistleblower calls for ‘mastermind’ behind killing to be identified

“We hope that whoever ordered the hit and is the mastermind must be identified and brought to book,” said a spokesperson for the family of Babita Deokaran.

Babita Deokaran

Photo: Twitter / @GautengProvince

The family of Babita Deokaran, the late Gauteng department of health official that was gunned down in an apparent hit outside her home on 23 August, said that those responsible for her killing must pay the price. This comes after the police announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the murder on Friday, 27 August.

DEOKARAN FAMILY SPEAKS

According to EWN, people who worked closely with the deceased believe she may have been killed for blowing the whistle on personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption in her department.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) revealed that Deokaran – who was employed as Chief Director of Financial Accounting by the provincial government – was one of 300 witnesses in the PPE corruption investigation, on 24 August.

Deokaran’s family believes that whoever is responsible for her murder wanted to silence her. The family spokesperson and her brother-in-law, Bishop Tony Haripersadh, said the government must do more to protect whistleblowers in South Africa.

“We are grateful to see that there is progress. We hope that whoever ordered the hit and is the mastermind must be identified and brought to book,” said Haripersadh to EWN affiliate Radio 702.

SAPS said the seven arrested suspects would be charged with murder for allegedly killing Deokaran, with a possibility of more charges being added. The Hawks have since taken over the case docket. “I am confident that the Hawks will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served,” said General Khehla Sithole.

The suspects are expected to appear in court imminently.

Deokaran was laid to rest in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday and the Gauteng Premier David Makhura attended a candlelight memorial for the whistleblower in his province.