Six men accused of killing whistleblower Babita Deokaran have pleaded guilty and were subsequently sentenced in the South Gauteng High Court.
A spokesperson for the Hawks Colonel Katlego Mogale says Phakamani Vincent Hadebe, Mhlangano Phinda Ndlovu, Sanele Mbhele, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, Zitha Radebe and Siphiwe Thabane Mazibuko, all from KwaZulu Natal were sentenced on Tuesday.
Deokaran was the acting Chief Financial Officer in the Gauteng Department of Health at the time of her murder and was a key witness in an ongoing investigation linked to a R333 million PPE procurement scandal at the Thembisa Hospital.
Wednesday will be the two-year anniversary of her death.
Colonel Mogale says the Hawks arrested the suspects within three days of the crime and they have been in custody ever since.
He says Hadebe, and Mbhele were sentenced to 22 years in prison while Radebe, Dladla and Mazibuko were sentenced to 15 years.
The sixth accused, Mhlangano Ndlovu was sentenced to six years for the murder.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv.) Godfrey Lebeya has applauded both the investigation and prosecution team for the excellent work displayed throughout the court proceedings.
Deokaran’s murder sparked a public outcry and calls for better protection for people exposing corruption in the state sector.
