Khusela Diko has reportedly been reinstated to her post as spokesperson of the Presidency and according to social media sherlocks, the occurrence of this controversial move, falling right after a key PPE tender witness, Babita Deokaran was murdered, can’t be coincidental.
Babita Deokaran: Is her murder linked to PPE case?
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement in his weekly newsletter, paying tribute to Deokaran, a 53-year-old Gauteng Health Department senior official who was at the centre of lifting the lid on ongoing graft at her office.
The now-former chief of finance was gunned down in cold blood outside of her Winchester Hills home last week. Seven suspects have since been arrested for her murder and while no clear-cut evidence has been found, Ramaphosa and lead investigators in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have not ruled out a link to her involvement in ongoing PPE tender fraud cases.
“Regardless of the circumstances behind this tragedy, Ms Deokaran was a hero and a patriot. As are the legions of whistleblowers who, at great risk to themselves, help to unearth instances of misdeeds, maladministration, cronyism and theft,” the president wrote.
Sherlocks link Khuselo Diko return to Deokaran murder
On Tuesday, News24 sent shockwaves across social media when they reported that Diko has returned to her post, after serving more than a year in suspension for her late husband, Madzikane II’s involvement in a R125-million PPE tender scandal.
Coincidentally, SIU investigations revealed that Madzikane’s Royal Bhaca Projects was awarded the tender, under shoddy circumstances, to supply personal protective equipment to the Gauteng health department.
While no direct evidence linked Diko to her late husband’s shenanigans, she was disciplined as a proxy to the underhanded deal.
At this time, the Presidency has not confirmed reports of Diko’s return. However, this did not stop social media sherlocks from digging into the coincidence of Diko’s return and linking it to Deokaran’s ongoing murder investigation.
Here are some of the reactions we picked out on social media:
ANC PPE thieves wanted Babita Deokaran DEAD
— Thabelo M (@ThatoMoodley) August 31, 2021
After the Khusela Diko & Bandile Masuku PPE scandal broke, she was demoted to the Johannesburg District Office.
The SA government is not committed to rooting out corruption. They just reinstated Khusela Diko back to her job. pic.twitter.com/18pHcEKsRD
PPE whistle-blower/witness gets killed and Khusela Diko suddenly comes back. Even if they can say the whole Country is stupid count me out. #RamaphosaMustFall pic.twitter.com/aW2gOz8YnI
— Battalion 54 (@54Battalion) August 31, 2021
Intriguing the Hawks "Key" Whistleblower in the scandalous PPE Corruption worth Billions was gunned down then on the following week Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Khusela Diko who was exposed of R125 million PPE Corruption is reinstated. What a coincidence. A true Gangster State
— Great Zulu (@SuperiorZulu) August 31, 2021
I know I've defended Cyril Ramaphosa before but all this Khusela Diko proves that I was wrong, this man is evil.
— Onkabetse Mosesane (@OnkabetseCEO) August 31, 2021
The Babita Deokaran story is scary, I guess you can't go against Cyril, he has the Media, Judges, Soldiers and killers now.
This is all scary.#RamaphosaMustFall
Whistle-blower is gunned down and Cyril reinstated Khusela Diko. pic.twitter.com/a6XlqT8Tgw
— PW Ngcobo (@Nyuswapw) August 31, 2021
