Whistleblower’s murder an attack on public service – commission
Deokaran a witness in PPE graft probe
The killing of Gauteng health official Babita Deokaran has been described as an attack on the public service.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioner Michael Seloane yesterday also raised concerns about the safety of other professionals who are opposed to corruption.
Deokaran, 53, who was chief director of financial accounting in the department, was gunned down on Monday morning outside her home in Winchester Hills, south of Johannesburg, after dropping her 16-year-old daughter at school. She died in hospital.
Deokaran was known for her strong stance against corruption and those close to her believe her murder was a hit. Her death has led to intensified calls for more protection of whistleblowers.
“Even sadder is the fact that Ms Deokaran was not only an employee of the department of health in Gauteng but she was a mother first and foremost, and this cruel act has resulted in a child losing her mother.
“To the extent that Ms Deokaran’s death is linked to her involvement with the SIU probe, the PSC views her killing as an attack not only on whistleblowers but on the professionalisation of the public service as a whole. The attack on her is part of an orchestrated campaign by forces of darkness in South Africa, who are doing what they can to ensure that the public service is inefficient and ineffective,” Seloane said. He said Deokaran’s killing once again highlights the vulnerability of whistleblowers in the country.
The Gauteng Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF) said it was concerned that Deokaran was an instrumental witness in the investigations of the PPE tender corruption in the province.
“Suppose the murder is indeed connected to PPE corruption. In that case, the PPF is concerned about the safety of our fellow professionals who have sacrificed under difficult conditions to deliver services to our people with dignity and integrity. We wish to call on the state that if it is serious in fighting corruption, it should provide witness protection and psychological support to all witnesses involved in corruption-related investigations and extend the same to close families who may be exposed [to danger],” the forum’s provincial secretary, Sasabona Manganye, said.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said this week that Deokaran had confided to director Neeshan Bolton about irregularities and corruption happening in the department. The foundation described her killing as a professional hit.
Her killing comes hot on the heels of Gauteng human settlements official Teboho Makhoa, who was killed in a hail of bullets in June.
Makhoa is believed to have been killed for his stance in housing corruption.
Deokaran’s funeral was held yesterday in Durban, where mourners praised her for her courage and excellence in the public service.