Whistle-blowers Are Key To Fighting Corruption In South Africa. It Shouldn’t Be At Their Peril

MONRAY MARSELLUS BOTHA|

NUMEROUS corruption scandals have been reported in South Africa in recent times. The extent of corruption in the country has been laid bare at the judicial commission probing allegations of state capture over the past three years. Corruption can impede a country’s economic growth, and undermine democratic principles, stability and trust.

Whistle-blowing is one of the mechanisms used to deter corruption. It plays a role in encouraging accountability, transparency and high standards of governance in both the private sector and public institutions. Whistleblowers help combat criminal conduct and should thus be afforded protection by the state. But South Africa’s system is flawed.

Recently, the country was shocked by the murder of a woman who had exposed corruption in the procurement of COVID-19 personal protective equipment.

As an academic, I’ve done work on the importance of whistleblowers in general, and on the possibility of paying incentives to people