Slain Babita Deokaran courageously flagged suspicious payments linked to Tembisa Hospital.
Image: Supplied
The journey towards healing after losing a loved one is daunting, particularly for Babita Deokaran's family. As a public servant who sacrificed her life to expose the looting of over R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital, her legacy deserves the utmost respect and transparency.
On 25 November last year, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature passed a motion calling for a report within six months on the steps taken to honour Deokaran’s memory.
It was specifically agreed that her family would be consulted on initiatives such as naming a new facility or establishing a personnel service award. However, the set deadline expired on 25 May, and the family alleges they have yet to be contacted by the Gauteng Health Department.
Despite the department agreeing to consult the family get the process moving, none of these has happened.
One political party pulled no punches, calling the saga an absolute disgrace. Other critics urge that the department's actions defy the Legislature and show its disdain for Babita’s sacrifice in exposing the looting of more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital by syndicates with fake companies that scooped contracts for undelivered goods.
Deokaran went through a lot. At one stage she was suspended over alleged false charges. The then-chief financial officer allegedly covered up her call for a forensic audit of Tembisa Hospital contracts.
In the end, Deokaran was exonerated with the revelation of the now-infamous Tembisa Hospital Heist.
Recently, the SIU seized assets of an implicated Tembisa Hospital official. This must be applauded. However, no criminal charges have yet been laid against the alleged syndicate heads, including Mr Hangwani Maumela, who is a nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first wife.
The best possible way to honour Babita for paying a heavy price for bravery is by realising the motion that the Legislature passed.
It leaves us wondering why the Gauteng department has not responded to media queries regarding the delays in honouring the brave whistleblower. What should the public read into this?
We hope the department will do the right thing sooner than later.