Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
13 December 2024 | 09:00 CAT
3 min read

As South Africa marked International Anti-Corruption Day, Durban-based activists raised alarm over the critical need to protect whistle-blowers. Speaking to Radio Islam, Dr Lubna Nadvi of the Active Citizens Movement (ACM) emphasised the organisation’s call for stronger government measures to safeguard individuals who risk their lives to expose corruption.

Nadvi highlighted the campaign’s central focus: ensuring that both the killers and the mastermind behind Babita Deokaran’s murder are brought to justice. The idea is that she gets justice and that her family and all of her supporters get justice. “I mean, she was just simply doing her job, and unfortunately, there were people out there who thought that it was appropriate to take her life. This is what we are saying. It’s not okay,” she said.

The campaign seeks accountability for those engaged in corruption and unethical behaviour, ensuring that justice prevails. While the gunmen have been arrested, Nadvi underscored the pressing need to uncover and prosecute those who orchestrated the killing, noting that the fight for justice remains a long and ongoing struggle.

She emphasised the need for robust legislation to protect whistle-blowers who expose corruption. She noted that whistle-blowers often face threats to their lives, personal safety, and livelihoods, with superiors retaliating through dismissal or economic hardship. The ACM has made submissions to the president’s office, the Department of Justice, the Zondo Commission, and other structures, offering recommendations on safeguarding these individuals. “The protection that we are demanding in terms of an inclusive and complete set of legislation is that those who blow the whistle do not face that kind of threat and vulnerability to their lives, jobs, families, or security. People should feel comfortable and actually quite confident in terms of blowing the whistle; they know that they will be protected,” she said.

She highlighted that there’s so much corruption unfolding across all levels of government and society. “People are afraid to expose it, and that’s why it continues because we don’t have sufficient protection for whistleblowers,” she said.

Nadvi acknowledged that while the president has made some pronouncements and structures have been discussed to protect whistle-blowers, significant gaps remain. She emphasised that existing legislation is inadequate, leaving whistle-blowers and their loved ones vulnerable to retaliation. Many are still forced to go into hiding after exposing corruption, as there is no comprehensive legal framework to safeguard them. Despite the numerous submissions to the Department of Justice, the government has yet to implement or interpret robust protective measures.

She explained the establishment of the Whistleblower House, a civil society initiative designed to support individuals who expose corruption. Led by whistle-blower Cynthia Stimpel, the Whistleblower House provides assistance and understanding to those who have experienced similar challenges. “It’s only a whistle-blower who understands the plight of another because they’ve been through that pain,” Nadvi added.

Nadvi emphasised the crucial role of civil society in drawing attention to whistle-blower protection and the fight against corruption. Civil society has campaigned persistently, pressuring public institutions to take action, but results have fallen short. Nadvi called for a stronger partnership between civil society and government, noting that while citizens can keep up the pressure and demand justice, the government, with its resources and legislative power, must take decisive action.

She also urged the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to utilise the wealth of information already available and prosecute those implicated, stressing that excuses are no longer acceptable. A collaborative effort is essential to effectively combat corruption and ensure accountability. “We need the government to come to the party with resources and legislation to make sure that they do what their role is: ending corruption in our society,” asserted Nadvi.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Dr Lubna Nadvi, ACM Exco Member and community activist, here.