The urgent need for whistle-blower protection in South Africa

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.

- ZAINUL DAWOOD

These were the sentiments echoed yesterday 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 (Provincial Tertiary) 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.

Visvin Reddy, an MP in the uMk-honto 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.