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What was behind South African whistleblower's murder

February 12, 2026

Five years ago, South African Babita Deokaran uncovered massive hospital corruption — and then was gunned down. Hitmen are jailed, but her family still wants to know who ordered the killing.

https://p.dw.com/p/58diC

South African whistleblower Babita Deokaran was assassinated in 2021 after uncovering suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital.

Her evidence exposed large‑scale corruption involving hundreds of companies.

While six gunmen were convicted, her family still seeks those who ordered the killing.

Investigators and journalists say her case shows how deeply corruption persists — and how dangerous whistleblowing remains in South Africa.