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The effect of whistleblowing on those brave enough to speak up took centre stage at the two-year memorial service held by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation for slain Babita Deokaran on Wednesday.
Civil society organisations, Gauteng health officials, family and friends gathered in Mondeor, south of Johannesburg, to reflect on the life of Deokaran and what needs to be done to ensure those who blow the whistle on corruption are protected.
Six men were jailed this week for between six and 22 years for her murder.
Cynthia Stimpel, who became a whistleblower on suspicious transactions that saved SAA R250m while she was a financial risk manager, said there is a lot that needs to be done to promote whistleblowing and protect those who speak out.
Image: Supplied
“Whistleblowers become physically and mentally ill. After you do it you can’t pay bills, lose your car, your house, can’t afford to pay for school of your children, you have stress.
“It’s a long-term effect you can’t get out of. Some lose their marriages and even loss of custody of their children, some commit suicide,” Stimpel said.
The justice department is reviewing the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act to improve protection of whistleblowers.
Stimpel said a lot needs to change for these to be effective. First, the definition of who is a whistleblower needs to be rewritten to extend the scope, and disclosures should be made by anyone who sees suspicious behaviour, not just employees.
“Not enough is...
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