Family of Babita Deokaran demands justice as graft soars

THE family of slain whistle-blower, Babita Deokaran, is disappointed and shocked by the findings of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) interim report that more than R2billion was looted from Tembisa Hospital.

- KAREN SINGH

BABITA Deokaran with her brother, Rakesh, whose unwavering support continues to fuel the family's quest for justice following her murder in August 2021, as she bravely exposed R850 million in corruption at Tembisa Hospital. BABITA Deokaran was posthumously honoured with the Risk Influencer of the Year Award 2025, recognising her bravery in exposing corruption and her enduring legacy as a champion for justice in South Africa.

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Deokaran, who was a Gauteng Department of Health official, uncovered around R850million in suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital and was killed in August 2021 for exposing this corruption, implicating at least 15 current and former employees.

The six men accused of her murder were sentenced earlier this year, but the mastermind behind the hit has not been caught.

Babita’s brother-in-law, Bishop Tony Haripersadh, said it has been difficult for the family, who still struggles to find closure since her death.

He believes that the authorities and law enforcement are not concerned about finding the mastermind behind her murder.

“The family is very saddened and hurt. They say time will heal, but for us, time is not healing, because it's four years now, and it’s still like the first day that we lost her,” he said.

Haripersadh said they were disappointed with the SIU report finding that funds taken had risen from R850m at the time of her death to R2bn.

“We are very disappointed and angry at the fact that she laid down her life, and all that she uncovered was stored on her laptop and cellphone.”