By Annisa Essack
07:02:2022

As numerous corruption scandals were reported in South Africa recently, the Zondo Commission of State Capture laid bare the extent of corruption in the country as it probed allegations of state capture over the past three years. Corruption impedes economic growth and undermines democratic principles, stability, and trust.

Whistleblowing is one of the mechanisms used to deter corruption and plays a role in encouraging accountability, transparency, and high standards of governance in both the private sector and public institutions. Whistleblowers help combat criminal conduct and should thus be afforded protection by the state. But South Africa’s system is flawed.

The Zondo Commission’s State Capture Report has highlighted the extent of state capture and, notably, the role played by whistleblowers to get unearth the truth.

With the first and second parts of the reports being released, Public Interest SA launched a petition calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to “Provide Support and Reparations for State Capture Whistleblowers”. The petition on the Change.org platform has garnered more than 12 000 signatures.

Radio Islam International spoke to Tebogo Khaas, from Public Interest SA, to find out about the plight of whistleblowers and the petition.

The petition calls on the President to provide reparation, particularly those who testified at the Zondo Commission, to provide security. Some have lost their livelihoods, and recently a couple had their homes broken into and robbed.

Khaas explained how billions of rands have been recovered from companies who have been complicit in the capture, admitted the culpability and are paying back with much more still to be recouped.

Referring to the assassination of Babita Deokaran, Khaas, reflected on the impact on their mental wellbeing, their relationships and even fear for their lives. He stated that since some monies had been recouped, the whistleblowers should be given priority.

The petition is still active and Khaas says that they are hopeful that they would get to meet with the President and/or the Minister of Justice to hand over the petition and a memorandum of proposals in terms of what should be done for whistleblowers.

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