Conviction of killers will restore trust

Seven people accused of the murder of Gauteng health employee Babita Deokaran are expected to appear in court today.

Deokaran was shot dead outside her home in Winchester Hills, southern Johannesburg on Monday last week after dropping off her daughter at school. Her assassination is believed to have been linked to her whistleblowing.

The acting CFO was one of the witnesses in the Special Investigating Unit’s investigation into Covid-19 protective personal equipment (PPE) tender fraud in the department. She was also a leading witness in a probe conducted by Gauteng premier David Mkhura’s office.

Said Makhura: “We have lost an upright public servant and I am pleased that SAPS has acted swiftly in arresting the suspects in the murder case of Ms Deokaran. I believe that police will uncover the masterminds behind this horrific crime. The corrupt elements in government who collude with rogue business to rig tenders have nowhere to hide. Looters shall not win. We will not retreat.”

The arrest, just three days after the gruesome killing is welcome. As Makhura said, we also hope they will lead the police to the masterminds of the crime. It was a sterling job by the police after the accused went to great lengths to “jam” CCTV cameras in the area.

Our sister publication Sunday Times reported that the seven were brought to Johannesburg solely to carry out the execution and were paid millions of rand.

We have seen arrests before in whistle-blowers’ murder cases that did not lead to convictions, but quietly went cold. Apprehending the small players in the chain will not end the killing of honest public servants; the planners must face the wrath of the law and the shame of being exposed.

That will restore public trust in the justice system, that police can probe thoroughly, arrest the masterminds and have them convicted. It will also play a part in eradicating corruption.

So much anger has been expressed by the public over the Deokaran case that successful convictions would help police regain the masses’ respect and give solace to corruption fighters.

We call on anyone with information on the Deokaran case and others that have gone quiet to come forward. Let us not let their deaths be in vain.