Babita Deokaran

Sergeant Nkosi sent Mr Sibande a YouTube clip about Mr Matlala that alleged involvement in fraud at Tembisa Hospital and other related allegations including misuse of blue lights and murder investigation.

“... you sent him a link to a clip on YouTube about Mr Matlala. ... It was about Mr Matlala, the allegations that he was involved in fraud at Tembisa Hospital, the fact that Babita Deokaran had been murdered while investigating that fraud, and the allegations that ... his then wife was using blue lights to take their children to school.”

By February 2023, Sergeant Nkosi was aware of the allegations against Mr Matlala involving fraud, murder of Babita Deokaran, and misuse of blue lights linked with the Ekurhuleni Council.

“By February 2023, you would have been aware of these allegations against Mr Matlala ... that he was involved in fraud at Tembisa Hospital, that the investigator of that fraud had been murdered, and that he was also alleged to have abused a relationship with the Ekurhuleni Council to get blue lights on his vehicles.”

Sergeant Nkosi was aware of the media allegations against Mr Matlala of fraud, unlawful use of blue lights from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, and possible link to the murder of Babita Deokaran by February 2023.

“At the time that General Sibiya says he first met Mr Matlala, there had been allegations published in the media that Mr Matlala was linked to fraud at Tembisa Hospital, was operating unlawfully with blue lights from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and maybe linked to the murder of Babita Deokaran.”

Sergeant Nkosi sent Lt-Gen Sibiri multiple articles via chat messages concerning General Masemola, Lt-Gen Khumalo, Mr Matlala's tender, the Tembisa hospital scandal, the death of Babita Deokaran, the cancellation of Mr Matlala's tender, and an internal SAPS audit related to it.

“Sergeant Nkosi sends you an article related to... General Masemola and Lt-Gen Khumalo... Mr Matlala's tender... linked to the Tembisa hospital scandal and the death of Babita Deokaran... media enquiry related to the tender and cancellation of the tender, as well as an internal audit conducted by SAPS”

Ms Babita Deokaran died after uncovering a fraud related to the improperly awarded Tembisa Hospital contract.

“There is even the death of, and you were aware that the allegations – in fact, there have been convictions – and you were aware also that the death of Ms Babita Deokaran was said to have related to her having uncovered the improperly awarded contract, in fact, fraudulently awarded contract.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri was involved in the investigation of the murder of Ms Babita Deokaran and the burning of Tembisa Hospital and stated suspects were arrested but that Matlala was not linked at that time.

“I was personally involved and then we arrested the suspect and he was not part. So I was aware at that time...”

The murder of Ms Babita Deokaran was connected to a 200 million tender at Tembisa and was under investigation by DPCI and IDAC at the time; Matlala's name was not known then.

“By that time it was indicated that the murder is about 200 million Tembisa tender and so forth, but I was not aware at that time that there was the name of Matlala.”

General Sibiri confirmed awareness of the Tembisa hospital tender fraud scandal and the death of Ms Babita Deokaran reported by the news at the time.

“You must have been aware of that at the time the news broke about both matters, both matters but which were, of course, related. Correct? Yes, I have already also, Commissioner, you are correct.”