The case of six men arrested in connection with the murder of senior Gauteng Health Department official, Babita Deokaran has been postponed to next month for consultation.
The accused were supposed to make a formal bail application today but their defence counsel told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that he did not have enough time for proper consultation as the Johannesburg Correctional Facility only allows consultations on a Friday.
They face charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Deokaran was a key witness in the Special Investigating Unit’s probe into the R300-million protective personal equipment tender fraud in the department.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, “The defence indicated in court that they were unable to consult with their client hence a request for a further postponement. And the matter has been set down for two days for the first and the fifth of October 2021 for the bail application to resume. We are prepared and this gives us even more time to do thorough preparation going into the bail application process.”
NPA’s briefing following the postponement of bail application:
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