Whistleblowers may receive a percentage of the monetary sanction imposed by a court on a convicted employer, according to a draft bill.
Deputy justice and constitutional development minister Andries Nel explained on Thursday at a media briefing, however, that whistleblowers will not be offered upfront incentives or rewards for disclosing corruption in terms of the new draft legislation, which seeks to promote whistleblower protection.
The Protected Disclosure Bill approved by the cabinet last week for public comment aims to enhance the protection of whistleblowers to prevent, among other things, a recurrence of the murder of Babita Dekoran, who blew the whistle on corruption at Tembisa Hospital and several others.
Whistleblowers have suffered for disclosing corruption, suffering suspension and dismissal.
In terms of the draft legislation, open for public comment until May 14, it will be a criminal offence to disclose the identity of a whistleblower.
The draft bill gives effect to recommendations of the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, which found that the country’s law on whistleblower protection was weak, as well as recommendations of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
Weaknesses identified included the absence of clear procedures for handling disclosures, insufficient protection for whistleblowers, limited support mechanisms for disclosers, and a lack of systems to ensure that disclosures were effectively received and acted upon.
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