Babita Deokaran’s cold-blooded assassination is not in vain. We cannot allow it to be. A witness in an investigation into alleged fraud relating to a R332m tender for personal protective equipment, the CFO of the Department of Health paid with her life to expose corruption and help cure us from the cancer that’s eating our country from within.
She’s a hero for not only uncovering corruption and stopping payments of irregular contracts and potentially unveiling a criminal syndicate in the DoH, but also for forcing her alleged murderers into a corner and making mistakes. Today, seven people will appear in court on charges related to her murder.
She may also be the catalyst for turning the table from protection for those doing corruption to those exposing it as her blood puts a stamp on the petition whistle-blowers handed over to President Cyril Rampahosa earlier this month in which they demand, among other things, to:
- Include in the definition of a whistle-blower, all persons who have knowledge of wrong-doing, not only employees;
- Provide for a specialised court for whistle-blowing cases, preferably within the Equality Court; it should also include investigations into unethical conduct and the abuse of power by lawyers acting in such cases;
- Order employers found guilty of harassment and intimidation of whistle-blowers, to pay penalties personally;
- Remove superiors from positions of authority so that they cannot influence investigations or intimidate witnesses;
- Provide secure witness protection mechanisms for whistle-blowers;
- Create a funding mechanism to cover the legal costs of whistle-blowers, and for other material and moral support; and
- Formulate a Code of Conduct for companies and state departments to ensure the fair treatment of whistle-blowers.
In his tribute to Deokaran in his Monday newsletter, the President says the murder of Babita Deokaran is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in our collective quest to remove this cancer from our society.
“Whistleblowers are important guardians of our democracy. They raise the alarm against unethical acts and practices in government and organisations. They speak out in good faith and with a reasonable expectation not only that action will be taken on their disclosures, but that they will be protected and not suffer victimisation or prejudice,” he says.
It is clear that Babita didn’t have this protection.
The time for talking is over! Now is the time to act! Stop the death of the guardian of public accountability of becoming the descent into the abyss of chaos.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting headlines:
SA Business
Dr Dan Matjila’s secret deal to make Iqbal Survé’s R700m debt to PIC disappear – Daily Maverick
More businesses are going to insist on mandatory vaccination in South Africa: CEO – BusinessTech
Liquidation and litigation woes: A strike at the heart of the Gupta empire – Daily Maverick
Global Business
Tesla’s Musk signals concerns over Nvidia deal for UK chip maker – SABC News
Zimbabwe Union takes state, companies to court over forced shots – Bloomberg
Beyoncé, SA blood diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend: Washington Post columnist – Sowetan Live
Markets
Cathie Wood’s smaller Ark ETF vehicles are picking up and adjusting stakes in Chinese tech stocks to keep out of harm’s way – SCMP
Asian markets track Wall St record as Powell soothes taper fears – AFP
Manchester United’s Ronaldo reunion sends stock price higher – Bloomberg
Opinion
JUSTICE MALALA | Babita Deokaran’s blood is on the ANC’s hands – Sunday Times Daily
Public sector ‘retrenchments’: It’s time for unions to take the austerity bull by the horns – Daily Maverick
Fed’s Powell cheers markets but risks a mistake – Bloomberg
