Babita Deokaran murder: ‘A lot will come out’ during bail hearing

When the six men accused of murdering Gauteng health department corruption-buster Babita Deokaran appear in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court tomorrow for their bail application, her family will be praying for their questions to be answered.

Prosecutors and detectives have, for the past two weeks, been building their case against Phakamani Hadebe, Zita Hadebe, Nhlangano Ndlovu, Sanele Mbele, Siphiwe Mazibuko and Phakanyiswa Dladla.

Deokaran, who worked in the department’s financial office, was a whistleblower in a Special Investigating Unit probe into R332.5m worth of Covid-19 personal protective equipment procurements that were allegedly irregularly awarded. She was gunned down last month outside her Winchester Hills home in southern Johannesburg.

The six suspects, who face charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, were arrested three days after the killing.

Key to the state’s case, said sources close to the investigation, are confessions made by at least two of the accused and an affidavit from a woman who was getting into the back of Deokaran’s car when the shooting occurred.

A Hawks officer said they are confident of their case. “A lot of work still needs to be done, especially in getting to those who planned this and helped with certain aspects of the murder. We have some good information and are following up on a number of leads,” he said, declining to say who may be implicated.

“A lot will come out during the bail application.”

A lot of work still needs to be done, especially in getting to those who planned this and helped with certain aspects of the murder

—  Hawks officer

Lawyer for the accused men Shafique Sarlie said on Thursday he had been given certain information by the state regarding confessions and accusations against his clients. “The information, which relates to other alleged criminal cases, will need to be investigated by us,” Sarlie said.

“Also, my team and I have only been able to consult with five of our six clients.” Asked about eyewitnesses, Sarlie earlier said he believed the state did not intend to hold an identity parade and “my gut feeling tells me that the only real evidence the state has against these accused is the so-called confessions”.

Deokaran’s brother-in-law, Tony Haripersadh, said the family will watch the bail hearings with interest. “We want to know what happened and why. We believe the state has a strong case,” he said.

Haripersadh said the family are not in contact with the eyewitness, but they know where she is, and “she is safe”.

A relative of Mazibuko, who asked not to be named, said: “We believe that the police have the wrong person. Already they have arrested and released three people who were not involved. We know in our hearts that Siphiwe is innocent. We want the truth just as much as the dead lady’s family.”