Hefty sentences for six murderers of Babita Deokaran

The six men accused of murdering whistleblower Babita Deokaran pleaded guilty to her murder in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

BREAKING: HEFTY SENTENCES WERE HANDED TO SIX MURDERERS

They each received a hefty sentence on Tuesday.

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Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the six accused:

• Phakamani Vincent Hadebe,
• Mhlangano Phinda Ndlovu,
• Sanele Mbhele,
• Siphakanyiswa Dladla,
• Zitha Radebe and
• Siphiwe Thabane Mazibuko were all found guilty and sentenced

BABITA WAS SHOT AND KILLED LAST AFTER SHE BLEW THE WHISLTE ON ALLEGED FRAUD

The 53-year-old Deokaran was shot and killed on 23 August 2021 after she blew the whistle on alleged fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital. She was shot multiple times in her upper body. The official, who had just dropped her child at school before the shooting, later died in hospital in the afternoon. 

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Three days after the murder, 26 August 2021, six people were arrested for the murder following an intensive trace operation. 

“The six appeared in court where their bail was denied, and they were remanded in custody.”Colonel Katlego Mogale

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HERE ARE THE HEFTY SENTENCES HANDED DOWN ON TUESDAY

In the ensuing court process, the accused pleaded guilty to the murder this afternoon and were sentenced as follows:

• Phakamani Vincent Hadebe was sentenced for murder to twenty-two (22) years imprisonment
• Mhlangano Phinda Ndlovu was sentenced for murder to six (6) years imprisonment
• Sanele Mbhele was sentenced for murder to twenty-two (22) years imprisonment
• Siphakanyiswa Dladla was sentenced for murder to eight (8) years imprisonment, for possession of a firearm and for possession of ammunition taken together for purpose of sentence, seven (7) years imprisonment effective sentence fifteen (15) years imprisonment
• Zitha Radebe was sentenced for murder to fifteen (15) years imprisonment
• Siphiwe Thabane Mazibuko was sentenced for murder to fifteen (15) years imprisonment.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has applauded both the investigation and prosecution team for the excellent work displayed throughout the court proceedings.