Permanent Monument To Be Unveiled In Honour Of Slain Whistle-Blower Babita Deokaran
MOUNT EDGECOMBE – Nearly five years after the brutal assassination of Gauteng health official Babita Deokaran, her courage is set to be permanently etched into the South African landscape. A community-led campaign will unveil a monument in her honour this National Women’s Day, August 9, at the historic Shri Mariammen Temple Heritage Site in Mount Edgecombe.
The move aims to ensure that the sacrifice of the former Chief Director of Financial Accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health is never forgotten. Deokaran was gunned down outside her Johannesburg home on August 23, 2021, just moments after dropping her daughter off at school. Her death became a watershed moment for South Africa, exposing the lethal risks faced by those who dare to speak out against the looting of public funds.
The "Honouring a Hero" Campaign
The "Honouring a Hero – Babita Deokaran" campaign, hosted on the BackaBuddy platform, was launched to raise the necessary funds for the monument and a massive memorial event. Organisers are aiming for a target of R250,000 to cover the costs of hosting around 3,000 guests at the heritage site.
While the Shri Mariammen Temple courtyard is a place of peace, the logistical requirements for such a large gathering are significant. Large marquees, digital screens, and advanced sound equipment are being prepared to allow thousands to participate in the ceremony simultaneously.
Seelan Archary, the chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, explained that the monument is about more than just one individual. It is a challenge to every person currently serving in the public sector.
"We are inspired by the fact that we could have a member of the South African community that would do her work with honesty, integrity, and dedication," Archary said. "This monument will remind those who come after us that this is the type of civil servant we need in our public service."
The Tembisa Hospital Scandal
The reason Babita Deokaran was targeted remains one of the most chilling examples of systemic corruption in South African history. Shortly before her death, she had flagged more than R850 million in "suspicious and dubious" payments made by Tembisa Hospital.
Her internal investigation revealed a web of shell companies and politically connected individuals who were allegedly looting money meant for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other critical medical supplies during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Deokaran had reportedly shared her findings with her superiors and was assisting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) when she was silenced.
Investigations following her death revealed that the scale of the corruption was even larger than initially thought, with some estimates suggesting that over R2 billion had been siphoned off through fraudulent procurement processes.
Convictions But No Mastermind
In August 2023, two years after the murder, six men—Phakamani Hadebe, Zaba Cele, Sanele Mbhele, Nhlanhla Mazibuko, Siphiwe Mazibuko, and Siyabonga Zungu—pleaded guilty to the assassination. They were handed sentences ranging from six to 22 years in prison.
However, for the Deokaran family and anti-corruption activists, justice remains incomplete. While the "foot soldiers" are behind bars, the masterminds who ordered and paid for the hit have yet to be brought to book. The SIU and the Hawks have maintained that investigations are ongoing, but the lack of arrests at the top level continues to be a point of frustration for the public.
Archary noted that Deokaran is not the only whistle-blower to have paid the ultimate price. He highlighted that many others continue to live under immense pressure or in hiding, fearing for their lives as they wait for the state to provide better protection for those who expose wrongdoing.
A Legacy of Education
If the fundraising campaign exceeds its R250,000 target, the organisers have a plan to ensure Deokaran’s legacy continues to create real-world opportunities. Archary revealed that any remaining funds would be used to establish a bursary fund for deserving matriculants who cannot afford university fees.
"Do your work diligently. You get paid a salary, live within those means, and provide for yourself and your family," Archary urged public servants. "There is no need to enrich yourselves at the expense of South Africans, especially the poor."
The Women’s Day event is expected to be a high-profile affair, with several dignitaries confirmed to attend. Among them are KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, Deputy Minister Narend Singh, and the Indian Consul General Niteen Subash Yeola.
Restoring Public Trust
The unveiling of the monument comes at a time when South Africa is grappling with a deep trust deficit between the government and its citizens. Archary believes that the story of Babita Deokaran carries a simple but powerful lesson that the government must learn if the country is to prosper.
"The government of South Africa needs to earn the trust of its citizens," he said. This requires decisive action, including lifestyle audits and a commitment to protecting those who risk everything for the truth.
As the permanent monument is unveiled this Sunday, it will stand as the seventh or eighth memorial at the Mount Edgecombe heritage site. It will serve as a constant reminder of a woman who chose her country over her safety, and a call to action for a new generation to choose integrity over the easy path of corruption.
For the family of Babita Deokaran, the monument is a bittersweet milestone. While it cannot bring her back, it ensures that her name will forever be synonymous with the courage that South Africa so desperately needs.
