By Goodhope Dlangamandla
24:08:2022

A year later, the family of Babita Deokaran, who was assassinated, while assisting with investigations into PPE tender scandals that rocked the provincial Health Department, still bleeds and weeps from their loss.

The corruption fighter and whistleblower was a critical witness in the Special Investigation Unit COVID-19 personal protective case.

She was gunned down a year ago when she returned from dropping her daughter at school, five minutes away from her home.

Talking to Radio Islam, Tony Haripersadh, her brother-in-law, said this time of the year brings back a lot of emotions in Deokaran’s family, and they are still very much hurt and angry about her passing.

He says there was never any doubt that the anti-corruption activist’s passing was a hit because she was shot at 12 times by six men without any of her belongings taken.

He also added that they believe Deokaran was failed by her boss, to whom she had reported the fraud she had uncovered.

“Her emails show she reported to her boss that she was in danger and the reply was the matter has been escalated with a promise that thy have sent protection for her,” said Tony.

He described Deokaran as a person who had integrity and courage and a person who stood by her convictions.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation hosted a memorial rally commemorating the first anniversary of her assassination last night.

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