In a statement on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Called on South Africa adequately protected the country's whistleblowers and pressured authorities to conduct effective and impartial investigations to ensure justice for victims of reprisals and their families.
In his address to the nation on 12 February, the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa It was said, “We cannot accept that those who speak out against corruption are harassed and targeted.” Reiterating existing promises, the President committed to introducing a new “Whistle-blower Protection Bill”. This bill has not yet been passed, with no date set for voting.
The proposed bill will be Proposal Compensation for any financial losses caused by whistleblowing, as well as criminalizing threats against whistleblowers. Currently, the primary legislative protection for South African whistleblowers is Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000. The purpose of the law is to protect employees in the public and private sectors from “professional harm” resulting from disclosing employer wrongdoing in “good faith.” The proposed bill would significantly strengthen these existing protections.
Two South African informants-Mpho Mafole and Marius Van der Merwe-Killed in 2025.
Mafole was the municipal forensic auditor for the City of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng province. During their work, they identified irregularities in the 1.8 billion rand (about US$112.9 million) mobile chemical toilet tender And presented their findings. investigative journalist informed Mafole's unidentified shooters tracked him as he left his home, and killed Him in a drive-by shooting.
Van der Merwe was A former Ekurhuleni police officer who testified In an off-camera hearing before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, allegations of corruption in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department were discussed. that was later was shot By unknown persons in front of his family members.
HRW called on the South African government to clarify its proposed commitments to whistleblowers and provide further protection, with the organization's South African researcher Nomathamsonaka Masiko-Mpaka saying:
South African authorities cannot afford to repeat empty promises because the lives of whistleblowers are at risk. Whistleblowers need not promises, but specific, measurable and concrete steps to ensure their protection and eliminate the risk of retaliation and violence..