SIU tightens controls to safeguard whistleblowers
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it has tightened its controls to protect the safety of whistleblowers during investigations.
This follows the assassination of 53-year-old Babita Deokaran earlier this week.
Deokaran, who was a witness in the SIU’s PPE tender corruption investigation, was gunned down outside her home south of Johannesburg.
Seven suspects have since been arrested.
Her murder sparked outcry about the safety of whistleblowers, although the suspected hit hasn’t been linked to the investigations.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says Deokaran’s death won’t impact the investigation.
“The SIU is committed to finalising all PPE tender corruption investigations, hold those responsible for procurement irregularities and corruption to account, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State.
“Like many South Africans, government and civil society, the SIU is concerned about the safety of whistleblowers, witnesses and SIU investigators,” Kganyago adds.
He vows the SIU is working with other law enforcement.
“The SIU has put measures in place to ensure safety of witnesses and whistleblowers.
“Internally, the SIU is assessing and considering further measures that will be put in place to secure the SIU investigators over and above the measures that are already in place with the SAPS.”
