The Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) in Gauteng stands in solidarity with the sentencing of six men who murdered the whistleblower, Babita Deokaran. The sentencing was handed down at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 22 August 2023.

This happened just a day before the second anniversary of Deokaran’s murder, which took place on 23 August 2021. The judgments also came two weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit to continue probing the R1-billion in irregular tenders at Tembisa Hospital that Babita Deokaran helped uncover before she was assassinated.

The Federation remains perturbed by the fact that the mastermind behind the murder and those who fired the shots are still on the loose. We call upon anyone with information that might help the authorities close this case to come forward. We stand in solidarity with the police officers, investigators and all relevant authorities involved this case who are in pursuit of justice and putting all perpetrators of this heinous crime behind bars.

Corruption and murder remain a huge problem in our province and in the entire country, in both private and public sector, and must be fought to the latter.

COSATU reiterates the fact that no stone should be left unturned, and that the prioritization of the Zondo Commission recommendations be implemented with urgency.

COSATU Gauteng applauds the National Prosecuting Authority, detectives and all authorities who were involved in this case to finding justice for Babita Deokaran.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Babita Deokaran’s family in these hard times, may they find healing and comfort as the actions of these murders caused a great pain in the family.

AMANDLA!!!

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Secretary – Louisa Modikwe: 066 182 2402
Provincial Chairperson – Amos Monyela: 079 493 5002