We were shocked at the news that Babita Deokaran, a senior Gauteng health department official, was gunned down outside her home in Johannesburg. SAMED worked with Ms Deokaran for several years. She was always professional, ready to engage and worked to improve payment and purchasing processes within the Gauteng Department of Health.
“The Gauteng Department of Health is at a loss for words at this brutal and tragic passing. Ms Babita Deokaran was an invaluable member of the Gauteng Health team; she rose up the ranks in the public service in the last three decades after she joined as an accounting clerk,” said Gauteng health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi in a statement issued on Monday.
Ms Deokaran stopped payments of irregular contracts in the department and her evidence also led to successful dismissals. She was a witness for the SIU in their PPE investigations.
We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and send condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. This is a great loss for them, the sector and public healthcare. She will be missed.
