Seven suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with Monday’s callous shooting of Gauteng health official Babita Deokaran, who had uncovered PPE tender corruption.
The 53-year-old acting chief financial officer was shot several times outside her home when she returned from dropping off her child at school. She died in hospital the same day.
On Friday police said they had made a breakthrough in their murder investigation.
Acting on information, a team of police multiple units conducted a takedown operation at the suspects’ hideouts in Johannesburg.
“During the arrests, the police recovered two firearms and two vehicles,” said police Colonel Brenda Muridili.
The police units involved in the takedown included Gauteng serious and violent crimes unit, Johannesburg K9, Johannesburg east crime intelligence, community active protection, and Fidelity specialised services.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service General Khehla Sitole said he, “welcomed the arrest of the seven suspects linked to the murder of an official from the department of health on the 23rd of August 2021”.
Described as a diligent and dedicated staffer, Deokaran who had been helping with an investigation into the Gauteng Health Department’s Covid-19 related contracts, was laid to rest on Thursday in Durban.
