WHISTLEBLOWER SLAMS DECEPTIVE GOVERNMENT

'Ramaphosa's ANC reset country's moral compass; deception is good, truth is bad'

- NICOLA DANIELS

THE lack of protection of whistleblowers is a symptom of two tragic realities which have been perpetuated and exacerbated under the Ramaphosa government, says scholar and whistleblower Dr Athol Williams.

"Disregard for human life" is tragedy one and "corruption as a norm" is tragedy two, he told the Cape Times in an exclusive interview.

In 2021, at great risk to himself and his career, Williams blew the whistle exposing plans by consultancy Bain and Company to weaken the South African Revenue Services during the tenure of former commissioner Tom Moyane.

Bain and Co were banned from tendering for government contracts for 10 years but the strain of being an unsupported whistleblower for three years took its toll on Williams' health and resulted in him having to go into exile following threats on his life.

Williams was also one of the key witnesses to testify at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capturemuch more like Marius van der Merwe, a crucial witness at the Madlanga Commission, who was shot dead outside his Brakpan home on Friday.

Van der Merwe, a security company owner, had implicated the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) in his testimony, alleging that they had been involved in the torture and murder of an unnamed man, and he was forced to dispose of the body.