‘Deny bail for Deokaran’s killer’

CALLS are mounting for the government to protect whistle-blowers and to act swiftly against those who commit fraud.

Civil Society organisations such as Outa and Defend our Democracy protested yesterday outside the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court and asked the court to deny the bail to suspects in Babita Deokaran killing.

A similar protests was led by ActionSA members.

Members of the party, led by former City of Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba, carried posters calling for the protection of whistle-blowers and jail terms for those responsible Deokaran’s death.

Deokaran, a former chief director of financial accounting in the Gauteng Health department was gunned down outside her home on August 23.

At the time of her death, Deokaran was a key witness of the Special Investigating Unit probe into tender fraud for personal protective equipment worth more than R300 million at the provincial health department.

Six men have been charged with her murder. They were due to apply for bail yesterday but their matter was postponed to afford them an opportunity to consult their legal counsel.

Shafique Sarlie, legal counsel for the accused who include Phakamani Hadebe, Zita Hadebe, Nhlangano Ndlovu, Sanele Mbele, Siphiwe Mazibuko and Phakanyiswa Dladla asked for a two-week postponement to allow him enough time to consult them.

In his application, Sarlie told the court he had been unable to properly consult his clients due to Covid-19 restrictions at Johannesburg Prison.

He asked the court to grant him an opportunity to fully consult with the accused and asked that the matter be postponed to October 1.

NPA regional spokesperson Phindi Mjondwane said there could be more arrests.