Tebogo Msimanga |
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura has noted the media interest in the latest developments of the Babita Deokaran murder investigation. The late Deokaran, Chief Director: Financial Accounting in the Department of Health was gunned down in her driveway in August 2021. She was a critical witness in the investigation by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) for corruption and fraud in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the province.
Makhura stressed that the Gauteng Provincial Government is treating this matter in a very serious light and his office is finalising the process of appointing an Independent Forensic Investigator to investigate the allegations that have surfaced relating to the case.
“Labour matters relating to officials implicated in this matter have been referred to the Head of Department (HoD) of Health, Gauteng, to deal with them as per the Public Service Act (PSA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).”
Makhura said while they are committed to ensuring that decisive action is taken against public servants that have been found to have failed in discharging their responsibilities in line with the PFMA, “we need to ensure that our actions are in line with the PSA and other applicable prescripts.”
Premier also cautioned that the issues related to the tragic death and murder of Deokaran’s are still under investigation by law enforcement agencies and therefore appealed to members of the media to allow law enforcement agencies space to do their work.
