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The slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was chief financial officer at the Gauteng department of health was remembered on Friday.
Deokaran was killed outside her home in Johannesburg in 2021, weeks after flagging irregularities relating to suppliers and service providers resulting in payments of approximately R850 million.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom is adamant that this is much larger than the R850 million Babita flagged as “possibly fraudulent transactions” three weeks before her death.
He took a jab at the Gauteng Health Department, which he claim is dragging its heels in ensuring accountability.
This with inexcusable delays in the disciplinary inquiry into Chief Financial Officer Lerato Madyo, who has been suspended on full pay for two years, he said.
“My view is that the cover-up continues at the department. If there was another Babita who tried to stop corruption, she would be silenced as well.
“The lack of concern about corruption is shown by the recent appointment of Arnold Malotana as Head of Department despite a SIU investigation into a tender-rigging scheme where he allegedly shared a R8 million bribe with two other officials,” Bloom expressed.
Protecting whistleblower
Speaking at the third anniversary of the death of Deokaran, Head of the Special Investigating Unit, Adv Andy Mothibi, assured the country that they will not rest until they bring those responsible to justice.
“Her courage and commitment to justice have brought us to this moment, and we owe it to her to ensure that her work was not in vain.
“Without Deokaran’s bravery in flagging these alarming irregularities, we would not be standing here today, confronting the dark and pervasive corruption that has infiltrated this institution.
“We will do everything in our power to protect whistleblowers and ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain. The arm of the law is long, and justice will be served. That is my solemn promise to you all,” he remarked.
Mothibi revealed that they have made strides since the President granted them the authority to dig deep into the allegations of corruption and maladministration within the Gauteng Department of Health and Tembisa Hospital.
He added; “Our investigation has unveiled the operations of three major syndicates within Tembisa Hospital. These syndicates engaged in bid-rigging, money laundering, and other illicit activities.
“The value of payments made to these syndicates is staggering, amounting to hundreds of millions of rands.
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“They have used these illicit funds to purchase luxury vehicles and properties, and over R1.8 billion has flowed through bank accounts linked to these criminal enterprises.”
Meanwhile the Gauteng provincial government said it has strengthened procurement processes in memory of Deokaran.
“Babita’s passing highlighted the urgency to tighten compliance processes and enforce ethical governance within the public sector.
“Gauteng government has since taken measures to strengthen procurement and review supply chain management policy.
“The life of Deokaran will continue to serve as a reminder for the Gauteng government to fight corruption and ensure clean governance,” provincial spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga concluded.
