Whistleblowers often face severe consequences for acting in the public interest: retaliation from their employers (including termination of employment, ostracisation, relentless legal action), financial strain and, in acute cases, even physical harm or death. On top of that, some whistleblowers may also face public scrutiny and scepticism and are portrayed as ‘snitches’ and traitors, while others may live in obscurity and struggle to have their stories heard.

Reports on the public and private resources whistleblowers have safeguarded are extensive and whistleblowers play an essential role in democracies by ensuring accountability and transparency. Yet, despite these real outcomes, the journey of a whistleblower is often far from heroic.

Indeed, many whistleblowers become known to the public not so much for their fight against corruption, or for the promotion of responsibility, integrity and accountability, but for the tragic personal consequences they suffer. In South Africa, we are frightfully familiar with this hard truth.

Today, State Capture whistleblowers are rightfully celebrated as heroic individuals who acted in the name of justice and the public good at significant personal risk. We can say a great deal about the personal sacrifices made by these whistleblowers and, on account of these sacrifices, that few people would have done the same. It takes immense courage to blow the whistle.

The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) supports...

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