Almost 2 years on, justice still seem elusive for whistleblower Babita Deokaran

The six suspects accused of killing whistleblower, Babita Deokaran, will find out this morning, whether or not they will be released for their alleged role in her murder.

They made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg High Court last month.

The Judge remanded the matter due to all three defense councils requiring more time to address the accused.

The men are accused of conspiring to murder, murder and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

The Gauteng Department of Health official was killed in a hail of bullets outside her Johannesburg home in August 2021, after she flagged a string of suspicious transactions at the hospital that totaled R850 million.

OUTA’s Community Engagement Officer, Ali Gule, led a picket outside court during the suspects’ last court appearance.

Gule says they will use Deokoran’s case to call for the protection of other whistleblowers.

The Deokoran family spokesperson, Bishop Tony Haripersadh, says want justice for late public servant.

The DA recently raised concern over the lack of action against the nine officials at the Tembisa Hospital, months after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report recommended that they be disciplined for the irregular award of contracts to fraudulent companies.

Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, revealed this in June in a written reply to questions posed by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, in the Gauteng Legislature.

The disgraced officials, who are still fully employed at the Tembisa Hospital, includes the Deputy Director of the Supply Chain division, two financial clerks, an Admin clerk, a Food Service Manager, Assistant Manager Nursing, Chief Physiotherapist and Physiotherapist, and a Medical Officer.

The SIU report found payments worth more than R1 billion that were paid to businesspeople who operated an array of companies trading with the hospital.

Bloom says they are calling for the immediate suspension of the implicated officials and swift discipline to show that maladministration will not be tolerated.