South Africa’s whistle-blowers face deadly risks as alleged masterminds remain free

South African whistle-blowers continue to face life-threatening decisions when exposing corruption, despite alleged masterminds often remaining free, according to watchdogs. The issue is particularly acute when alleged hitmen are arrested and convicted, but those suspected of ordering or financing the attacks remain unidentified or unprosecuted.

Roshnee Narrandes, Southern Africa regional director of Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), stated that South Africa's current whistle-blower protection laws do not adequately protect those whose disclosures put their lives at risk. She noted that the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill identified witness protection as a possible solution, but warned that individuals are being assassinated for doing their jobs.

Narrandes emphasized that the failure to identify those behind attacks only emboldens them, making it a "life-or-death decision" for whistle-blowers to report corruption. She urged whistle-blowers facing credible threats to be immediately placed in witness protection, along with their families, while investigations are launched.

Corruption Watch spokesperson Janine Erasmus highlighted the danger whistle-blowers face, citing a recent alleged plot against a senior Justice Department official. The case, where the official and her family were placed under protection after a whistle-blower alerted the Justice Minister, served as a "rare example of how the system should work."

However, Erasmus expressed concern over cases where the alleged gunmen are arrested while those who may have ordered or financed the attacks remain free. Five years after Babita Deokaran's murder, her killer has not been brought to justice, highlighting the gap between apprehending alleged hitmen and identifying those who sent them.

Despite arrests in some cases, the question of who ordered the killings remains unresolved. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) emphasized that the investigations are the responsibility of the police, while prosecutors assess the evidence needed to secure a successful prosecution. The lack of protection has put pressure on the government to strengthen the law, with the Justice Department's proposed Protected Disclosures Bill published for public comment in April.

The Bill aims to strengthen protection for whistle-blowers and address gaps in the current law, including physical protection in certain circumstances.