Saturday marked four years since the assassination of Babita Deokaran, a senior health official who was gunned down in 2021 after exposing alleged tender corruption at Tembisa Hospital.
Despite the conviction of six hitmen, the mastermind behind her killing has yet to be identified or prosecuted, drawing criticism from civil society and political figures alike.
SIU: Over 100 Officials Implicated
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) confirmed it is finalising its investigation into the broader corruption network tied to Deokaran’s work.
The unit’s head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, revealed that over 111 officials have been linked to four syndicates operating within the hospital’s procurement system.
“These officials have been referred to the Department of Health,” Mothibi said, adding that disciplinary action has already begun in some cases.
However, the full extent of the network is still under investigation.
Public Outcry: “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied”
Trade union federation SAFTU, led by Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi, urged authorities to unmask the real masterminds behind Deokaran’s murder.
“We must not give up on South Africa. Our crisis is not manufactured elsewhere – it’s rooted in our institutions,” Vavi said.
“The state is in crisis, but not totally broken. There is still time to act.”
Similarly, ActionSA has condemned the slow pace of justice.
The party says the justice system continues to fail whistleblowers, and pledged to introduce new legislation in Parliament to improve whistleblower protections, incentivise reporting, and bolster anti-corruption efforts.
Babita’s Legacy: A Symbol of Courage
Deokaran, who was acting Chief Director of Financial Accounting in the Gauteng Department of Health, was shot outside her home in August 2021 shortly after flagging suspicious transactions at Tembisa Hospital.
The contracts in question were allegedly linked to inflated pricing and bogus suppliers – exposing deep-rooted procurement fraud.
Although six men have been convicted and sentenced for carrying out the hit, the family and public have long insisted that “hitmen don’t hire themselves.”
The Road Ahead
As pressure mounts, the SIU says it remains committed to uncovering all those responsible.
Meanwhile, Deokaran’s family continues to call for direct intervention from the highest levels of government, hoping that her sacrifice will not be forgotten.
The anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by public servants who choose integrity – and the long road South Africa still faces in securing justice and rooting out corruption.
Do you think the mastermind behind Babita Deokaran’s murder will ever be found?
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