By: Basa Mushi
Hours after laying to rest Gauteng Health official Babita Deokaran, police pounced on seven suspects believed to have carried out the hit. National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole on Friday announced that police had made a breakthrough.
Sitole said investigators caught a break in the case when they received information that led to the arrest of the suspects from Crime Intelligence.
“SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in collaboration with SAPS Johannesburg K9, Johannesburg East Crime Intelligence, Fidelity Specialised Services, and Community Active Protection operationalized information received and conducted a takedown operation at the suspects’ hideouts in Johannesburg. During the arrests, the police recovered two firearms and two vehicles,” Sitole said.
He added that the docket had been transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation for further investigation. There is a possibility of more charges being added to the charge of murder when the suspects appear in court soon.
“I am confident that the Hawks will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served,” said Sitole.
Deokaran was laid to rest on Thursday in Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal. Shortly after dropping her daughter at school, the 53-year-old met her untimely death when she was showered with a hail of bullets on Monday outside her home. Upon returning to her house, a White BMW unleashed a barrage of bullets on her before speeding off. She was taken to hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
She was a key witness in the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) investigation into the fraudulent procurement processes of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the Department of Health.
Family and friends that had gathered at Greenheights Primary School heard her niece Vanisha describing her as a devoted aunt and a formidable woman who stood for truth and justice.
“She was an exemplary civil servant who diligently served the government of South Africa for over 30 years. Her integrity and courage to stand up for what was right were second to none. She was a force to be reckoned with. Babita, you died a hero, not only for your family but for all the peace-loving and honest citizens of South Africa. A strong and courageous woman who stood up for what was right and was not afraid to speak out against ruthless wrongdoers,” Vanisha said.
Deokaran’s sister also described her as an honest person who was senselessly killed for standing up for doing what was right. She penned a letter in which she appealed to South Africans not let her sister’s death be in vain.
“South Africans, we all need to be angry. We cannot accept this. My sister should not lose her promising future in vain. If we can make this country better for her daughter and nieces and nephews, I know she would believe that she did not sacrifice her life in vain. My sister was not just a number in the government system. She is a treasured mum, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a colleague,” the sister wrote.
