Condolences won’t bring murdered whistleblowers back: Activist

Social rights activist, Patricia Mashale, has slammed government’s slow pace in providing more protection for whistleblowers in the country, saying they live in constant fear.

Mashale’s remarks come after the killing of Gqeberha activist and entrepreneur, Pamela Mabini.

Mabini, who was known for her support of rape and trafficking victims, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in her bakkie on Friday.

She blew the whistle on Nigerian Pastor, Timothy Omotoso, accusing him of rape and trafficking in a trial that has dragged on for close to eight years and is now set for judgment on the 2nd of next month.

Mabini, who was the founder of the Maro Foundation, was passionate about helping the community, lending a hand to the homeless and provided clothes, food, and sanitary products to the needy.

Her death comes at least seven years after she an attempted hit on her, which occurred a year after exposing Omotoso’s alleged shenanigans.

Speaking to YNews, Mashale says it was only a matter of time for Mabini to be killed.

She’s urging government to do more to protect whistleblowers as “condolences won’t bring them back”.

Human rights activist and social worker, John Clarke, says it is disheartening to see whistleblowers’ lives still at risk.

He says the country’s leadership needs to catch a wake up call and deal with this scourge.

Clarke also called on people to use their relative privilege to change how the country is at the moment.

He lashed out at organisations such as AfriForum and Solidarity for failing to use their power and voice for good.

He’s dismissed their recent campaign to get the US to influence the country’s direction on the Expropriation and Bela Acts, among others, saying they bring shame to the country.

Civil rights movement, #NotInMyName believes that Mabine’s murder is a symptom of a broken society.

The civil rights group co-founder and secretary-general, Themba Masango, says such incidents will continue to discourage potential whistleblowers from coming forward.

Rest in Power, Queen 💔

Pamela Mabini, 46, was shot and murdered outside her home in Kwazakhele, Gqeberha, on 7 March 2025.

It is alleged that Pamela’s lifeless body was found inside her white Chevrolet bakkie with multiple gunshot wounds. The vehicle had been parked next to… pic.twitter.com/ZaZFdL5Oy5

— Women For Change (@womenforchange5) March 7, 2025

May we remember her 🙏 🕯🕯
Rest in peace Sis Pamela Mabini.

Our law enforcement agencies continue to fail to protect whistleblowers! https://t.co/U9LSmKklYL pic.twitter.com/O3Ah1rYOSX

— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) March 8, 2025

What does Tim Omotoso have to do with the death of Pamela Mabini. She was just a supporter to the alleged victims.

Her death has nothing to do with Tim Omotoso trial

This kind of journalism is nonsense!!! https://t.co/quI2FMmBg8

— BULELANI🏅 (@BulelaniCiki) March 9, 2025

Babita Deokaran was killed for exposing the 1bn corruption tender at Tembisa Hospital …Pamela Mabini was Killed for exposing Pastor Omotoso for rape and Human trafficking.. REMEMBER THESE HERO ..SAY THEIR NAMES,REMEMBER THEIR NAMES pic.twitter.com/WDWSVPlszw

— Bearded Priest (@BeardedPriest1) March 8, 2025

When are South African women starting a vigilante group. I’m ready to join. We can’t keep having similar cases of Babita Deokaran and Pamela Mabini

— Petite Ebony Girl 🇵🇸 (@PetiteEbonyGirl) March 7, 2025