Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Dr. Reneva Fourie
The recent assassination of Marius ‘Vlam’ van der Merwe, publicly known as Witness D, shortly after testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has once again placed the safety of whistleblowers in South Africa under intense and urgent scrutiny.
His killing follows a pattern that has repeated itself with chilling consistency for more than a decade. It demonstrates, in the starkest possible terms, the risks faced by individuals who choose to expose corruption and serious wrongdoing.
The matter extends beyond the loss of a single life and beyond personal tragedy. It reaches into the state's capacity to uphold accountability, protect constitutional values, and sustain public confidence in the rule of law.
The elimination of corruption from public and private sectors requires individuals who are prepared to report unlawful and unethical conduct. This reporting cannot take place in an environment of fear.
People will only come forward when they are confident that their disclosures will lead to meaningful action and when they believe that the state can and will protect them from harm. Without effective protection systems, corruption remains hidden and entrenched.
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