Call for whistleblowers’ increased protection

 

Whistleblower, Moeketsi Mokoena, has expressed concern over the lack of protection for whistleblowers.

He was speaking a day after the globe paid homage to whistleblowers, who face threats; are sometimes killed, lose their jobs and forced to flee to other countries for exposing corruption.

Speaking to YNews in celebration of World Whistleblowers’ Day, Mokoena said the law needs to be amended to make the environment for blowing the whistle more enabling and encouraging.

 

Mokoena says more needs to be done to protect those who want to speak the truth.

Babita Deokoran is one of those who courageously spoke out against graft and paid with her life for it.

The Acting Chief Financial Officer in the Gauteng Department of Health was gunned down in August 2021 shortly after dropping her daughter off at school.

She had been helping authorities with an investigation into a R850 million PPE tender scandal at the Tembisa Hospital.

Six men responsible for her murder are currently serving time behind bars for the crime.

Civil society organisation, Public Interest SA, says it will always support the brave individuals who stand up for what they believe in regardless of the danger associated with their brave act.

The organisation’s Tebogo Khaas says without the whistleblowers’ willingness to speak out, many injustices would remain hidden.

“It is imperative that we, as a society, provide robust protections and support mechanisms for whistleblowers, ensuring that they can act without fear of retaliation,” adds Khaas.

Khaas has also called on policymakers, business leaders, and civil society to encourage truth speaking and to also foster environments where transparency is encouraged and protected.

“We urge the implementation and enforcement of comprehensive whistleblower protection laws and the creation of safe channels for reporting misconduct”, says Khaas.

Why is the alarmingly high number of assassinations in SA not being highlighted. Most of these victims are whistleblowers. People are afraid to report these criminal syndicates because their lives, and the lives of their families are at stake. How many have died in vain..💔🇿🇦

— Megan S. (@SimplyMegszcpt) June 24, 2024

Saluting all #Whistleblowers on #WorldWhistleblowerDay. We honor your courage & bravery in standing up against corruption & state capture. We stand with you & demand protection & support from the SA Govt. #WhistleblowerProtection #TruthToPower #CivilSociety pic.twitter.com/yiveefRjCV

— SAChangeMaker (@SAChangeMaker) June 23, 2024

#WorldWhistleblowerDay: Today we celebrate those who speak truth to power & protect the public interest. Whistleblowers are essential for a just society and upholding the values of our democracy. pic.twitter.com/d9cSeyi73L

— Defend Our Democracy (@ForDemocracySa) June 23, 2024

In SA whistleblowers are never protected . Remember the late Sindiswa Magaqa’s friend ?? I wonder if he is still alive

— CertifiedEcoTourismDoyenne (@ms_tourist) June 21, 2024