Jeff Wicks releases book on Babita Deokaran: ‘Her killing was a statement of intent’

CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Investigative Journalist Jeff Wicks.

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Whistleblower Babita Deokaran was murdered outside her home in 2021, after reporting on corruption at Tembisa Hospital.

She was working as the acting chief financial officer at the Gauteng Department of Health at the time of her death.

Six alleged hired assassins were arrested and convicted for her murder, but the mastermind behind her killing has still not been brought to book.

“There has been a failure of law enforcement. It has been four years; how can it still be possible that the person who ordered her killing is still breathing free air?” 

- Jeff Wicks, investigative journalist

Wicks ran an investigation into her death and has released a book about the devastating case.

“We have tried to honour her memory in producing this book and telling her entire story.”

- Jeff Wicks, investigative journalist

Several months before her assassination, she was suspended from work for being a whistle-blower and had her salary frozen.

RELATED: 'All we want is for the mastermind to be brought to book' – Rakesh Deokaran, brother of whistleblower Babita Deokaran

“She was an obstacle against corruption in the Gauteng Health Department.”

- Jeff Wicks, investigative journalist

Despite this, Wicks says she was putting on a brave face at home and powering through despite the hardship.

She also refused to be quiet about what she had uncovered.

“This killing was a statement of intent. She was shot 12 times at close range. So close that gunpowder stippled on her skin.”

- Jeff Wicks, investigative journalist

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