August 23 marks the fourth anniversary of the tragic assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, a pivotal figure who courageously exposed significant corruption within the Gauteng Health Department. Deokaran was gunned down outside her Mondeor home in Johannesburg, shortly after taking her daughter to school, and her murder remains a haunting reminder of the perilous landscape faced by those who dare to challenge corruption.
ActionSA has intensified its call for law enforcement authorities to step up efforts to apprehend the masterminds behind Deokaran’s murder. The party asserts that her killing represents a profound failure of the justice system to protect whistleblowers, individuals whose honesty risks their lives in the battle against deep-rooted corruption.
In the aftermath of her assassination, which occurred weeks after she flagged over R850 million in suspicious payments linked to Tembisa Hospital, six men were convicted and sentenced for carrying out the hit. However, the identities of those who orchestrated the crime remain shrouded in mystery as the hired hitmen have remained tight-lipped about their orders.
Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, eloquently highlighted the sacrifices made by individuals like Deokaran in the fight against corruption, stating, “On this day in 2021, she was brutally assassinated for exposing the cancerous corruption that pillaged critical public resources in Gauteng. Her death reflects the justice system’s failure to protect brave South Africans who are heartfelt with corruption.”
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been actively working to uncover the complex web of corruption linked to Deokaran’s revelations. SIU Head Advocate Andy Mothibi reassured the public and Deokaran’s family that they remain determined to uncover the masterminds behind the assassination. Speaking at the unveiling of a memorial plaque honoring Deokaran, Mothibi stated, “We have found that there are more than four syndicates operating, and while some of those involved have already been arrested, we are committed to ensuring that the full extent of the law is applied.”
Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions, also weighed in on the anniversary, urging law enforcement and the SIU to fully investigate the murder. “We want to know who planned, who hired, and who funded the criminals who ruthlessly took Babita’s life. We won’t let Babita die in vain,” he asserted, echoing the growing sense of urgency and responsibility that surrounds this unresolved case.
The calls for justice are louder than ever, with a collective demand for accountability as the nation continues to grapple with the troubling reality that igniting change in a corrupt system can come at the ultimate price. As her family and supporters remember Deokaran, the fight against corruption remains fiercely alive.