Troubled Investigation into Whistleblower’s Murder
A fresh team of Hawks investigators tasked with handling the case of the murdered whistleblower, Babita Deokaran, has unexpectedly raised concerns about the initial inquiry.
Jack Bloom, the Democratic Alliance’s Shadow Health MEC, has brought attention to the new team’s activities.
These investigators are actively seeking data from three cell phones owned by taxi boss Khanyisani Mpungose, who was named as a mastermind by the six recently convicted for Deokaran’s tragic murder.
The sudden focus on this case by a new investigative team raises questions about the initial handling of the investigation.
The fact that they are now pursuing cellphone data owned by a suspect who was previously set free suggests possible oversights in the initial inquiry.
Overlooked Cellphone Data
Crucially, the police did not retrieve information from Mpungose’s cellphones while he was in custody, despite his association with the murder.
The six men convicted in the case revealed that Mpungose and another individual had fired 11 shots at Deokaran’s car, indicating their involvement on behalf of unknown parties.
The inability to access the cellphones’ data has become a source of frustration in the case.
Unanalyzed Evidence
Adding to the troubling aspects of the investigation is the failure to analyze Babita Deokaran’s cellphone and laptop.
These could potentially hold critical evidence related to her activities and the threats she faced.
When the Gauteng Department of Community Safety was questioned about these issues, they cited the “sensitive nature of the matter” and a perceived “serious threat” to the investigator.
Neglecting to analyze Deokaran’s personal devices raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.
It is essential to explore all avenues to ensure justice is served.
The Tragic Background
Babita Deokaran, a 53-year-old health official, was shot and killed on August 23, 2021, after blowing the whistle on alleged fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital.
She was shot multiple times in the upper body and later succumbed to her injuries.
The tragic circumstances surrounding her death have prompted concerns about the handling of her case.
Babita Deokaran’s murder is a distressing event that highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the need to uncover any potential oversights in the initial inquiry.
The pursuit of cellphone data and unanalyzed evidence underscores the ongoing effort to seek justice in her case.
People
TDPel Media
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn