KZN department charges whistle-blower exposing alleged corruption activities

Premier Thamsanga Ntuli has promised to look into the Arts, Sports and Culture Department's decision to charge a senior official for allegedly blowing the whistle on corrupt activities in the department.

- WILLEM PHUNGULA

The suspended department’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Zinhle Buthelezi, is currently undergoing a disciplinary hearing, where the department has accused her of leaking confidential documents to ActionSA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango in 2023.

As an alternative charge, the department accused her of failing to investigate who among the employees may have leaked this information to a private individual. She was suspended in May last year.

Weighing in, Ntuli said he was unaware of the matter and said he would request a full report to understand what was going on.

“We cannot allow the victimisation of corruption whistle-blowers. We are on record saying people must report corruption or wrongdoing irrespective of who is involved, so I am going to look into the matter,” said Ntuli.

Buthelezi appeared before the disciplinary committee on Thursday to answer for the charges, and the case was postponed to Monday for closing arguments by her attorney.