The urgent need for whistle-blower protection in South Africa
Image: File
Parliamentarians stated that Babita Deokaran, who exposed corruption at the Gauteng Department of Health, and other whistle-blowers would still be alive if they were protected by the government.
These were the sentiments echoed on Friday during a discussion over the strengthening of whistle-blower protection by enacting robust laws that guarantee anonymity, job security, and legal support for individuals who report corruption.
Deokaran was the acting chief financial officer at the department and reported on financial fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital when she was killed outside her home in August 2021.
The Whistle-blower Protection Bill is due to be introduced to Parliament later this year. The Bill follows a recommendation by the State Capture Commission, contained in its report released in 2022, that whistle-blower legislation be amended to provide increased protection.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Visvin Reddy, an MP in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), stated that the MKP does not run away from corruption, but face it head on.
"We don't silence whistle-blowers, we protect them because in a country drowning in lies, the person who tells the truth is the bravest one of all. If Babita Deokaran had spoken out under an MKP government, she would still be alive, protected and not hunted, celebrated and not assassinated.
"There are officials in departments who are watching bribes being paid daily, and municipal officials who see tenders being given to cronies while people go without water. They stay silent because they know the risk," Reddy stated.
Philip van Staden, Freedom Front Plus MP, said other examples include: Pamela Mabini (murdered), Athol Williams (fled the country), Jimmy Mohlala (murdered), Martha Ngoye (dismissed by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa), and Cynthia Stimpel (dismissed).
"These examples clearly demonstrate a significant lack of legal, financial, and psychological support for those who expose corruption in government and elsewhere. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's draft document outlining proposed reforms for whistle-blower protection, published in June 2023, has still not been finalised, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's undertaking to do so in his State of the Nation Address at the beginning of the year," he said.
Van Staden believed that South Africa does not have the experience, expertise, intelligence capabilities, and manpower needed to enforce laws.
"The significant shortcomings in, among other things, crime intelligence are evident in ordinary criminal cases, which often end in unsuccessful prosecutions," he added.
Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, an MP and member of the DA, said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has failed to secure a single successful prosecution of a politically connected figure implicated in state capture.
Breytenbach said that cases like the Vrede Dairy scandal, the Zizi Kodwa debacle, and the Transnet corruption trial have all collapsed due to incompetence, poor preparation, or basic procedural errors.
Corruption has reached epidemic proportions, said EFF MP Thapelo Mogale, adding that President Cyril Ramaphosa himself was involved in the Phala Phala saga where the theft of $4m from his game farm became international news.
The stigma of being labelled an impimpi, which refers to a police informer or spy in South Africa, should also be addressed and dismantled in communities, said Thokozani Langa, an IFP MP.
Langa added that whistle-blowers should be heroes and not seen as traitors.
Marlon Daniels, a Patriotic Alliance MP, said that robust laws should guarantee legal defence for whistle-blowers who face frivolous lawsuits after reporting corruption.
Daniels also warned about false allegations and those who want to settle personal scores.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
NCC MP Fadiel Adams faces consequences for sexist and racist remarks
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams has been found guilty of breaching Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests following a nine-minute Facebook video in which he used crude, sexist, and racially charged language. The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests tabled its report to Parliament, recommending Adams be reprimanded, suspended for 15 sitting days, and that his salary be docked for the same period. He is also ordered to issue a public apology and attend a consultation on ethical conduct. The complaint was lodged by Democratic Alliance Chief Whip George Michalakis and submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Members' Interests on March 5, 2025. The complaint relates to a nine-minute video Adams posted on February 18, 2025, where he made a series of offensive remarks directed at a female member of the Democratic Alliance, the mayor of Cape Town, and the DA as a party. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to the complaint, Adams used explicit and offensive terms referring to race, gender, sexual conduct, and political affiliation. In addition to personal attacks, he made inflammatory allegations and threats directed at a woman's employer, at the mayor's children, and the City of Cape Town leadership. In the report, the complainant stated that the content of the social media post is as follows: 'ek weet nie wat makeer sekere coloured mense nie (I don't know what is wrong with some coloured people)', and 'some of us are so desperate to fit white sexual reproduction organs into our mouths … the Mackenzie family has been practising it for years'. He then refers to an individual as a 'ding' (thing) and 'the Right-Wing love coloureds that are a fit to work in the kitchen but think they can make their way into the office by sucking white genitalia'. He then also calls her a 'coloured mother's p**s', 'naai', 'h***me!d', 'vuil ma se p**s (and if you do not excuse my language, f**k you sommer)', 'smetterige vark (pig)', 'coloured mother f**k', 'this mother n**i' and says that she is so desperate for a white man's recognition. He then continues: 'I don't care if you are a woman, because you're not a woman as far as I am concerned because a mother doesn't do this' and 'I don't give a p**s, I am not gender biased, jou vuil n**i (you dirty f**k)'. With regards to members of the DA as 'f**ng agents', he refers to the mayor of Cape Town as a 'piece of sh*t', 'wit god' and to 'his f**ng kids'. He then falsely accuses the mayor and the city of murder and fuelling violence. He furthermore threatens the female individual that he will approach her employer ('there will be consequences at your workplace') and tell them that 'you're employing a piece of sh*t' and then goes further to threaten the employer himself, stating that if she does not remove a Facebook post that 'your boss will not trade for a day or two', threatening to ignore a High Court order against him for closing business because 'some things are worth going to jail for'. The complainant also stated that Adams is in breach of items 5(1) and 9 of the Code. Also, if the complainant's conduct falls foul of the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Act, the member could be in breach of his oath of office. He also indicated that he was willing to ignore a High Court order in pursuit of what he termed justice. Adams did not dispute the content of the video or that he was the individual who made the remarks. The committee reviewed footage that was taken from his Facebook page before it was removed and confirmed that the statements were made as described. In his written response submitted on March 13, 2025, he offered an apology for the outburst and cited personal circumstances as a contributing factor. He said he had been under considerable stress linked to threats to his children's safety and family-related trauma. He argued that the post was a reaction to a Facebook post made by a DA member, which, in his view, had placed his children in danger by suggesting gang affiliations. The committee acknowledged Adams' account of personal stress, but maintained that it did not excuse the severity or public nature of the language used. It expressed concern about the particularly vulgar, sexist, and racist nature of the remarks, especially those directed at a woman, and stated that "the member brought Parliament into disrepute". The committee found that the Member had breached items 9(1) and 9(2) of the Code of Ethical Conduct, as outlined under item 16(1)(c). These provisions prohibit members from using racist, sexist, or derogatory language on social media and from bringing Parliament into disrepute through such conduct. It further noted that members are expected to uphold the integrity of Parliament and act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the institution. Although the member was informed of the breach and invited to submit written representations regarding a possible penalty, no such representation was received. The committee has recommended that Adams be formally reprimanded in the House. He should issue an apology in the National Assembly, to the public, and to the woman referred to in the Facebook video for the use of racist, sexist, and vulgar language. It further recommended that he be suspended from participating in debates and committees for 15 sitting days. His salary and allowances should be reduced by an amount equal to the same period. The member is also expected to attend a consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Co-Chairpersons of the Committee, and the Acting Registrar to discuss the ethical conduct required of MPs.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Public Protector clears Bheki Cele of SAPS helicopter misuse allegations
Former police minister Bheki Cele has been cleared by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka of allegations of using a police helicopter to attend the ANC's 2024 election manifesto launch in Durban. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared former police minister Bheki Cele of accusations of chartering an SA Police Service (SAPS) helicopter to attend the ANC's 2024 election manifesto launch in February last year. The DA complained to Gcaleka after Cele was seen arriving at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium in an SAPS helicopter. Andrew Whitfield, the DA's then shadow police minister, accused Cele of making use of the official aircraft as his taxi or e-hailing service to and from a political party event. Whitfield also rejected Cele and the SAPS's averment that the former minister's use of the helicopter was in line with his 'constitutional responsibility as a Minister of Police'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In addition, Whitfield said should it be found that the SAPS helicopter collected Cele from any location other than its assigned base (and particularly if he was collected from King Shaka International Airport) and/or that its flight plan included no other activity but to transport him to and from the manifesto launch event, it would no doubt support the submissions that the former minister's use of the helicopter was solely personal. He further stated that it was wholly unrelated to any oversight or operational duties (which the former minister is in any event not entitled to undertake), and certainly not in line with his constitutional responsibility as the police minister. Whitfield alleged that Cele used his position in the national executive to improperly benefit himself by making use of an SAPS helicopter for private and party-political travel. However, Gcaleka found evidence indicating that the operational planning relating to policing for the launch of the ANC manifesto event was arranged by members of the SAPS led by one of its senior generals. 'The evidence at the Public Protector's disposal indicates that as part of safety and security planning for the event, approval for utilisation of an SAPS helicopter was granted by the Air Wing Support Unit Commander for the purpose of aerial surveillance and law enforcement during ANC manifesto launch,' reads Gcaleka's report. The only passengers were Cele and the top general in the SAPS helicopter used for aerial surveillance covering areas around Moses Mabhida Stadium during the ANC manifesto launch. Cele also used a commercial airline to travel from Cape Town to Durban and back. Gcaleka could not find any evidence to indicate that the SAPS helicopter was used to transport Cele beyond the various operational points at Moses Mabhida Stadium and surrounding areas.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
'Filthiest perpetrator': Judge berates rapist Musa Chabalala who assaulted 91-year-old gogo
The High Court in Thohoyandou, has sentenced 34-year-old Musa Walter Chabalala of Tshisaulu village to multiple terms of direct imprisonment, including life imprisonment for rape. Image: NPA The High Court in Thohoyandou, sitting at the Waterval Magistrate's Court, has sentenced 34-year-old Musa Walter Chabalala of Tshisaulu village to multiple terms of direct imprisonment, including life imprisonment for rape. Chabalala was also handed 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and five years for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence. 'The sentencing follows the court's finding that Chabalala was guilty of a heinous attack on a 91-year-old woman in her home on 21 August 2020 in Tshisaulu village,' according to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The court heard how Chabalala forcefully gained entry into the nonagenarian's home by opening a window and breaking the door to her bedroom. Armed with a knife, Chabalala threatened the elderly woman, instructed her to hide under a blanket, and demanded money. Chabalala managed to steal approximately R40 and a sound system, then forced the victim to undress and he raped her multiple times before fleeing the scene. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The traumatised woman immediately reported the incident. A thorough police investigation, led by Sergeant Madzivhandila, later linked Chabalala through forensic evidence. Despite pleading not guilty, the State, represented by advocate Steven Muavha, presented compelling evidence that proved Chabalala's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In aggravation of sentence, the prosecution told the court that the scourge of rape has reached 'pandemic levels' in the Vhembe district. The prosecution demanded that harsher sentences are necessary to protect vulnerable citizens, especially the elderly. It was further highlighted that Chabalala is a repeat offender, and had been undeterred by his previous convictions. In delivering judgment, Judge Thogomelani Caution Tshidada described Chabalala as 'one of the filthiest perpetrators who does not deserve to live in our communities'. The judge lamented that the victim was old enough to be Chabalala's grandmother and should have been treated with dignity and respect. The court also highlighted Chabalala's lack of remorse and found no mitigating factors to justify leniency. Meanwhile, the NPA has welcomed the sentencing heaped on Chabalala, adding that the jail terms will serve as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders. Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, advocate Ivy Thenga, has commended the prosecution and investigation teams for their diligence and commitment to justice. 'This sentence reinforces our resolve to protect the most vulnerable in our society and ensure that justice prevails,' said Thenga. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
