Family hopes for breakthrough in finding mastermind behind whistle-blower's murder

'WHEELS OF JUSTICE MUST TURN'

- NADIA KHAN

ALMOST four years after the killing of whistle-blower, Babita Deokaran, her family and other stakeholders believe there is hope of finding the “mastermind” or “masterminds” behind the hit on her.

This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Police, was receiving “financial support” from controversial businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Mkhwanazi alleged that Matlala was at the centre of a criminal syndicate involving politicians, police officers and other judicial figures.

He also alleged that Matlala's company secured a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender in 2024, despite red flags raised over allegations of fraud linked to Tembisa Hospital. The tender was later withdrawn.

According to reports, Matlala's name first surfaced in connection to tender irregularities at Tembisa Hospital in 2021.

It is alleged that he was linked to fraud probes sparked by Babita, and that she had flagged his companies for suspicious activities.

Babita, who was the chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was killed on August 23 in 2021.

It is alleged that a hit was put on the mother of one after she blew the whistle on fraud and corruption at the hospital which ran into billions of rand.

The 53-year-old, of Johannesburg, was gunned down just weeks after raising the alarm.

Three days later, six men were arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

However, during the court proceedings, it emerged that the “mastermind/s” were still at large.

In May, Matlala was arrested along with his wife and two others for the alleged attempted murder of his former girlfriend in 2023.