Firoz Cachalia Claims Babita Deokaran’s Murder Masterminds Are in Positions of Power, SA Wants Names
- Professor Firoz Cachalia discussed why the masterminds behind Babita Deokaran's murder were still free
- Deokaran was shot dead on 23 August 2021 after exposing R850 million in irregular Gauteng health tenders
- South Africans weighed in on the Acting Police Minister's comments, with many questioning what he knew
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Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG – Professor Firoz Cachalia claimed that the masterminds behind Babita Deokaran's assassination remain shielded from justice because they are in power.
The Acting Minister of Police made the comments on the fifth anniversary of her death. Deokaran, who was serving as acting Chief Financial Officer at Tembisa Hospital, was shot dead outside her Winchester Hills home in Johannesburg on 23 August 2021. Before her death, she had documented approximately R850 million in irregular expenditure, identifying suspicious companies linked to the looting of Gauteng Department of Health funds.
Six hitmen were subsequently convicted for carrying out the murder. State asset forfeiture proceedings have also been launched against individuals, like Hangwani Morgan Maumela, who are alleged to have benefited financially from the tender schemes she worked to uncover.
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Professor Cachalia discusses why masterminds remain free
Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the whistleblower’s murder, Professor Cachalia claimed that the masterminds behind her killing are yet to face accountability because they occupy positions of power.
“The people who benefited financially from her death, and the reason why we don't have justice, are because those people are in power and can protect themselves. That problem of corruption is the disease and illness eating at our country’s hopes,” Cachalia said.
South Africans question Cachalia’s comments
The Acting Minister’s comments sparked a debate online, with many questioning whether he knew who was responsible for the murder.
Bk Payday Molapo wrote:
"Do you know them? Go and arrest. The time for interviews is over."
Dineo Maphutha questioned the government's response, asking:
"So, are they above the law? Is this Acting Minister just a puppet in that Ministry? Why is he not taking an executive decision on this, since he knows who is involved?"
Erna Eygel questioned:
“So, he knows who they are? Or is he just talking big?”
Sidiliya Vukaphi asked:
“Haibo, he knows the person? He must arrest. Haibo, how can a minister talk like that? I don't believe this.”
Bonginkosi Sithole also asked:
“And what is he doing about it? He's just talking.”
South Africans remember slain whistleblowers
Briefly News reported that South Africans were frustrated at the killing of whistleblowers in the country.
Social media users expressed frustration after the death of Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D.
Babita Deokaran and van der Merwe were praised and honoured for their fearlessness in exposing corruption.
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Source: Briefly News
