Saftu calls for masterminds arrest in Babita Deokaran’s assassination

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The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has called for the arrest of mastermind(s) behind Babita Deokaran’s murder.

Despite the sentencing of the six assassins, the union said it is displeased that the police have not made any progress in arresting the masterminds. 

Babita was killed outside her home in Johannesburg in 2021, weeks after flagging irregularities relating to suppliers and service providers that were conducting business with Tembisa Hospital.

SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi recalled how at the time, they welcomed the plea bargain and remarked that this is drawing us closer to arresting the masterminds.

This after they named a recruiter and two men who are said to have been the ones who pulled the trigger.

He added; “The recruiter was unfortunately killed, seemingly frustrating the endeavours to get to the mastermind(s). As reported, the endeavour to bring the mastermind(s) to book by the police has come to naught.

Mastermind(s) behind assassination of Babita

“We call on the police to find the two people who pulled the trigger and the mastermind who paid them to assassinate Babita.”

Vavi highlighted that leaving these murderers and their mastermind(s) roaming is not a disincentive to other murderers out there as many could venture into killing people because they can get away with it. 

He also said the statistics that the police have a murder detection rate of 14% provide context for why these murderers and their masterminds have not been found.

“It worry us that they may never be found and held accountable. Despite this, SAFTU demands from the police services positive results in arresting the culprits.

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“SAFTU reiterates its call for all the directors who established these companies to help launder and loot money meant to deliver health services for the residents of Gauteng to be arrested, be ordered to pay the money and sentenced.

“Unlike in other cases, we do not want repayments and fines to substitute for actual imprisonment.

“We demand imprisonment of all the people who were part of this looting web that milked resources out of GDOH, whilst hospitals lack beds, medicine, and infrastructure,” he concluded.