Whistle-blower’s death angers civil activist group

THE Active Citizens Movement (ACM) together with its whistle-blowers sub-committee, has expressed its outrage and anger at the tragic murder of Babita Deokaran.

An employee at the Gauteng Department of Health, she was allegedly uncovering PPE corruption in her line of duty.

The civil society organisation said it was not surprised, but is extremely angry that despite the president’s pronouncements in March and August at the State Capture Commission, whistle-blowers remained at the mercy of perpetrators of crime and corruption.

The group’s acting chairperson, Yashica Padia, has been campaigning for whistle-blowers to receive support and protection.

“To this end, we have staged a demonstration at the venue of the State Capture Commission and handed over a petition to the National Assembly Minister in the presidency, Minister Mondli Gungubele calling on you, Mr President, to act now,” she said.

She said a further tragedy is that a woman whistle-blower has been murdered during Women’s Month.

“Mr President, whistle-blowers, and citizens no longer seek your promises, but seek action. The ACM says enough is enough. In a society seemingly inured to the ravages of deadly assassinations, murder, and other forms of extra-judicial killings, the ACM cries out this much and no more,” she exclaimed.

In the wake of the cold-blooded murder of Deokaran, the ACM declared that all measures must be taken to investigate these dastardly deeds and bring the culprits to book.

Padia said for several years the murders of scores of policemen, political and business figures, whistle-blowers, key state witnesses, taxi operators, and others have been occurring, with mind-numbing repetition.

She said many of the victims are innocent officials or individuals who happen to stumble across corruption and want to do their duties ethically but end up paying the ultimate price.

“The common threads among all these killings are that they have their roots in corruption and the perpetrators are never found. Mr President, this begs the question: Are the assassins performing the bidding of powerful masters who sit behind the parapets of the politically connected who do their bidding for a few pieces of silver and are then afforded protection from prosecution?”

“Are our law enforcement agencies capable of investigating such heinous deeds to the fullest extent? Is it not time for those investigating authorities to be candid about information in their possession following scores of hit-murders?” she probed.

The ACM called out to the Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, to use the best skills and investigators the country has to offer, including the private sector.

They further, called upon the president, as a matter of extreme urgency, to enlist the assistance of Interpol, Scotland Yard, or similar international agencies of repute to bolster capabilities and join the country’s investigation teams.

“This will bring in fresh pairs of eyes, as well as the requisite skills, competencies, and independence to bear on this seemingly insurmountable situation,” Padia added.