Babita Deokaran's family seeks justice as corruption scandal unfolds

THE family of slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran welcomes the SIU's report revealing more than R2billion in corruption at Tembisa Hospital but insists that finding the mastermind behind her killing remains crucial for justice.

'Heads must roll,' said her brother as the corruption scandal continues to unfold.

Babita, who was the chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was killed on August 23 in 2021. 

It is alleged that a hit was put on the mother of one after she blew the whistle on fraud and corruption at the hospital. 

The 53-year-old of Johannesburg, had returned home from dropping off her daughter, then 16, at school. While waiting to enter her property, gunmen opened fire on her vehicle.

Babita, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was taken to hospital where she died a few hours later.

Three days later, six men were arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. 

Phakamani Hadebe, Zitha Radebe, Nhlangano Ndlovu, Sanele Mbhele, Siphiwe Mazibuko and Phakanyiswa Dladla, who entered into a plea agreement with the State, were sentenced in the South Gauteng  High Court on August 22 in 2023. 

However, during the court proceedings it emerged that the “mastermind/s” were still at large. 

Speaking to the POST this week, Rakesh Deokaran, Babita's younger brother, said while they were grateful to the SIU for unveiling the extent of the corruption, the job did not stop there.

“We have been waiting a long time for the investigation findings. We are most shocked as the initial estimate of R850 million fraud she had red-flagged spiralled to over R2 billion. This underscores the deep-rooted corruption that occurred at the hospital. 

“However, we are tired of reports and commissions; heads must now roll. Without consequences, corruption will persist. We need a precedent set to instill fear in any would-be perpetrator of fraud and corruption,” he said. 

Deokaran said they were optimistic that the mastermind or masterminds behind Babita's murder would now be found. 

“You can run, but you can’t hide forever. I don’t think our sister will rest and truly have justice until the person or people behind her murder are found and punished.” 

Deokaran added that the government needed to implement measures that would extend to hospitals across South Africa and its other departments to eradicate corruption. 

“This issue of fraud and corruption extends further than Tembisa Hospital. Various departments are affected, resulting in citizens' trust being severely compromised. 

“However, one thing I can say to citizens as we approach the local elections next year, and national elections in 2028, is to think wisely when voting. Don’t just think for yourselves but for the future generations,” he said. 

Deokaran said Babita was posthumously awarded the Risk Influencer of the Year Award 2025 by the Institute of Risk Management South Africa on Friday. 

“We are proud to know that she is still making a difference in society.” 

THE POST