Babita Deokaran family says 'not coping' with whistleblower's death
The family of slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran say they are still struggling to come to terms with her death.
Deokaran was gunned down in her driveway in August 2021 after exposing fraud and corruption at the Gauteng Department of Health.
She was the department's acting chief financial officer at the time of her death.
Her sister Shaleen Ramgulan spoke at a memorial service in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
She said Deokaran’s death has been extremely painful.
“It feels like our hearts have been ripped from our bodies. It is extremely difficult and heartbreaking to get through each day, and no, we are not coping. Each day is a challenge, and our fake smiles, hide our pain and sadness.”
READ: Deokaran assassination ‘crushing setback' to whistleblowers
Ramgulan said Deokaran and her daughter Thiara were joined at the hip.
“Babita’s life revolved around her commitment to her work, her home, and only child. They spent every minute of every day together. They were practically joined at the hip.
“It pains and saddens us to see our very girl emotionally torn and without her mom at this crucial place in her life. We see the sadness in her face and eyes, she was dealt a catastrophe at this impressionable age.”
Babita has been awarded the Free Speech Award by the Greek government in recognition of the sacrifice she made as a whistleblower.
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