BABITA DEOKORAN MURDERERS SENTENCED AFTER ENTERING INTO A PLEA AND SENTENCE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE
The six men accused of killing Gauteng Department of Health Acting Chief Financial Officer, Babita Deokaran, were today sentenced by the High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg following their tendering a plea of guilty and entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Accused 4, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, further pleaded guilty to possession of prohibited firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Phakamani Hadebe (31) was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment, Nhlangano Ndlovu (29) to 6 years, Sanele Mbhele (29) to 22 years, Siphakanyiswa Dladla (27) to 15 years (8 years for murder and 7 years for possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition), Zitha Radebe (32) to 15 years and Siphiwe Mazibuko (30) to 15 years imprisonment. All accused were convicted of the murder of Deokoran under the principle of ‘dolus eventualis’ and conceded that they foresaw the possibility that their actions could lead to the death of Deokoran, or any other person, but reconciled themselves with such possibility when they continued to act in furtherance of a common purpose to execute the hatched plan to kill Deokoran. In their plea explanation, they detailed how they scouted and traced the movements of the deceased, on two separate occasions, before she was killed.
Images of her place of residence as well as those of her vehicle were sent to a person known as Khanyisani Mpungose, who was introduced to them by Hadebe. Mpungose was fingered as the person that approached Hadebe, seeking to deal with Deokoran as she was “problematic”. They stated that on the day of the incident, 23 August 2021, Mpungose arrived with an unknown male who joined them to execute the plan of killing Deokoran. They added that they were driving in two separate vehicles that followed Deokoran to Columbine Square and thereafter to her home. Along the way, she stopped to pick up her domestic helper and as she brought her car to a halt, one of their vehicles stopped alongside hers and Mpungose and the unknown male, fired several shots towards Deokoran’s car. Thereafter, both vehicles fled the scene.
Senior State Advocate Steven Rubin put before the court that murder is a serious offence which can never be downplayed. He further declared that the deceased, having chosen to highlight irregularities in the spending of the Department of Health, has been hailed as a hero of the nation.
The court considered that there were substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment, citing that, the accused pleaded guilty, and they spent two years in prison awaiting the finalisation of the trial against them. Further, they provided information about other people that were involved in Deokoran’s killing that was not known to the state. The court further considered the interest of justice and that of society, as well as the personal circumstances of the accused.
The NPA applauds the remarkable work of Advocate Steven Rubin and the Investigating Officer from the Hawks, for ensuring that Deokaran’s murderers are brought to book. We hope that this sentence conveys a clear message that attempts to silence law-abiding persons, especially whistleblowers, who seek to assist the state against corrupt activities, like the deceased, won't be tolerated. The information provided to the SAPS will assist to unravel the real mastermind behind the murder as further intensive investigations continue on the matter to ensure that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done. This case is clear evidence that the NPA will adopt an aggressive stance against those who are behind corruption which is like a cancer that is remorselessly destroying our country.
Issued by: Phindi Mjonondwane, Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Local Division, NPA, 22 August 2023
