The Gauteng provincial government announced that it was finalising the process of appointing an independent forensic investigator to look into the allegation into the murder of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran.
The announcement made by Gauteng Premier David Makhura comes at the back of News24 investigations which revealed Deokaran, a senior official in the provincial health department’s financial unit, had identified and exposed more than R800 million in alleged corrupt and fraudulent contracts at Tembisa hospital.
Deokaran held the position of Chief Director: Financial Accounting in the Department of Health and was a key witness in the investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for the alleged corrup and fraud in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for Gauteng.
She was assassinated in a hit-style killing in her driveway in southern Johannesburg in August 2021.
“The Gauteng provincial government is treating this matter in a vary serious light and consequently, the office of the premier is finalising the process of appointing an independent forensic investigator to investigate the allegations that have surfaced relating to the case,” said Makhura.
On the question whether any staff had been sanctioned over the alleged fraud, Makhura said labour matters have been referred to the head of department of health to deal with them under the Public Service Act and Public Finance Management Act.
“While we are committed in ensuring that decisive action is taken against public servants that have been found to have failed in discharging their responsibilities in line with the PFMA, we need to ensure that our actions are in line with the PSA and other applicable prescripts,” said Makhura.
He added that the provincial government is strengthening its control systems to prevent fraud and corruption.
Source: News24, Times Live, Eyewitness News, The Citizen, image from Times Live