Gauteng Premier David Makhura is finalising the appointment of an Independent Forensic Investigator (IFI), to deal with allegations emerging from the Babita Deokaran murder investigation.
Deokaran, who was Chief Director of Financial Accounting in the Health Department, was gunned down in the driveway of her home in August 2021.
She was a critical witness in the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) probe into procurement corruption and fraud.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently called for the immediate suspension of the Tembisa hospital CEO Ashley Mthunzi, who allegedly signed off payments to more than 200 companies.
Deokaran identified the payments as being possibly fraudulent.
Premier’s office Mohlalefi Lebotha says, “Premier Makhura said that while we are committed in ensuring that decisive action is taken against public servants that have been found to have failed in discharging their responsibilities in line with the PFMA, we need to ensure that our actions are in line with the PSA and other applicable prescripts…”
The SIU confirmed that Deokaran was a key witness in a multi-million-rand fraud investigation linked to alleged improper COVID-19 personal protective equipment tenders.
Deokaran blew the whistle on corrupt colleagues – influential politicians who had allegedly fraudulently manipulated tenders for their own benefit.
SIU welcomes arrests in Babita Deokaran murder case:
Gauteng to appoint Independent Forensic Investigator to deal with allegations emerging from Babita Deokaran case pic.twitter.com/p1HGtBZf0Z
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) August 15, 2022
Activists and a relative of murdered whistle blower Babita Deokaran at the JHB Mag. court ahead of the judgment in the bail application of six men accused of her murder. She was a witness in the SIU probe into dodgy PPE contracts when she was gunneddown. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/PdT89v9cPQ
— Tshepo (@tphagane) December 20, 2021
Mastermind in Babita Deokaran murder must be brought to book!! pic.twitter.com/cnlW7JY4WV
— Tlhogi Moseki (@MosekiTlhogi) September 13, 2021
The funeral of slain Gauteng Health finance official Babita Deokaran is expected to begin in the next 90 minutes.
She was shot dead outside her JHB home this week.
Deokaran was a witness in a multimillion rand PPE tender corruption matter. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/mGHpVuHCw8
— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) August 26, 2021
Premier @David_Makhura has joined civil society organisations for a candlelight ceremony in memory of slain @GautengHealth senior official & corruption fighter, Babita Deokaran. The ceremony coincides with the exact time of Ms Deokaran’s funeral taking place in KwaZulu Natal. pic.twitter.com/3sfroJgVaR
— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) August 26, 2021
