By Kaya 959 Reporter
The men accused of murdering Gauteng health official, Babita Deokaran, will spend Christmas in a prison cell.
The six suspects appeared in Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The court denied their bail application.
Deokaran was gunned down outside her Mondeor home in August. She was parked outside of her property at the time. She had just dropped off her daughter at school.
Deokaran was the chief director of financial accounting at Gauteng’s health department. The department is under investigation for fraud and corruption related to a personal protective equipment (PPE) tender.
Deokaran was a key witness in the investigation.
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court dismissed the suspects’ bail application over concerns they might evade their trial if released.
Some of the men claim police forced them to sign confessions. They also accused officers of torturing them.
Phinda Ndlovu, Phakamani Hadebe, Siphiwe Mazibuko, Sanele Mbhele, Zitha Radebe, and Siphakanyiswa Dladla are due back in court in February 2022.
ALSO READ: President Ramaphosa: Babita Deokaran is a hero and patriot
Mbhele still employed by government
According to News24, one of the men, Sanele Mbhele, is still a government employee.
The 27-year-old man is reportedly a general worker at the Inkosi Langalibalele District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
The street sweeper allegedly disappeared in March but continued to receive his salary.
Deokaran’s family is hopeful that the court will hand down justice.
Her brother, Rakesh Deokaran, told TimesLive after Monday’s court proceedings that it was not easy seeing his sister’s alleged killers.
He has called on officials to provide better protection for whistle-blowers.
ALSO READ: Investigations reveal how gang spied on Gauteng Health official before hit



