House Chairperson,
The urgent need for enhanced protection measures for whistleblowers and witnesses—not only in high‑profile cases—cannot be overstated. South Africa witnesses a deeply troubling pattern of intimidation, harassment, and assassinations against those who dare to expose corruption and testify against powerful figures. This undermines not only the integrity of South Africa’s justice system but also Parliament’s constitutional mandate to safeguard accountability.
This time last year, Pamela Mabini was shot and killed outside her home; a community activist and whistleblower whose testimony played an instrumental role in the arrest of televangelist Timothy Omotoso and others on trial for rape, racketeering, and human trafficking. The plight of whistleblowers such as Athol Williams, Babita Deokaran, Jimmy Mohlala, Martha Ngoye, Cynthia Stimpel, and many others, points to the personal cost, not of whistleblowing, but of government’s apparent disinclination to resolutely implement laws of protection. This is not surprising given the number of public servant criminals exposed in the Zondo and Madlanga Commissions who remain free still awaiting prosecution and incarceration.
President Ramaphosa has repeated a previous commitment to introduce a new Whistleblower Protection Bill in Parliament. This must be passed as soon as possible! We have fallen short in ensuring that protective legislation is updated to meet modern risks, particularly in the digital age where...
A civic group has filed a complaint against pro-government YouTuber Kim Ou-joon. The accusation stems from allegations that he spread false information about Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is su...