News24 reports that six men appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the murder of Gauteng health department official Babita Deokaran.
Nhlangano Ndlovu, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, Zitha Radebe, Simphiwe Mazibuko, Sanele Mbele and Phakamani Radebe were charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition. More persons are expected to be arrested in connection with the murder. According to the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), all the six accused were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal. A seventh person was arrested but not charged due to a lack of evidence. None of the arrested men worked for the Department of Health. The accused will return to court on 13 September for their bail application. Deokaran’s killing is suspected to be linked to her role in the investigation into dodgy personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts in Gauteng. She was reportedly a key witness in a Special Investigating Unit investigation. Deokaran was gunned down outside her home last Monday.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lwandile Bhengu at News24
- Read too, Babita Deokaran’s alleged killers in court, seventh suspect released due to lack of evidence, at Independent Media
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