ActionSA calls on Minister to fast-track Whistleblower Reforms
Press Statement by Malebo Kobe MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA is deeply concerned by reports of the killing of an alleged whistleblower in Emfuleni. This tragic incident reflects an all-too-familiar pattern in South Africa, where those who risk their lives to expose corruption and wrongdoing are left vulnerable and unprotected.
As investigations into this crime continue, we reiterate our urgent call for coherent and robust whistleblower protection legislation to be prioritised and passed by Parliament.
In January this year, ActionSA introduced the Fallen Whistleblower Bill, aimed at strengthening protections, introducing incentivisation and private prosecutions. This followed growing recognition that the current framework, including the Protected Disclosures Act, is insufficient to safeguard whistleblowers.
Furthermore, just last week ActionSA formally requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Justice in light of the Executive’s proposed amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act. Despite the urgency of this matter, we are still awaiting a response from the Minister.
ActionSA calls on the Minister of Justice to urgently engage on this matter and to work collaboratively to fast-track meaningful legislative reform before more Whistleblowers become statistics.
ActionSA calls on Minister to fast-track Whistleblower Reforms
ActionSA is deeply concerned by reports of the killing of an alleged whistleblower in Emfuleni. This tragic incident reflects an all-too-familiar pattern in South Africa, where those who risk their lives to expose corruption and wrongdoing are left vulnerable and unprotected.
As investigations into this crime continue, we reiterate our urgent call for coherent and robust whistleblower protection legislation to be prioritised and passed by Parliament.
In January this year, ActionSA introduced the Fallen Whistleblower Bill, aimed at strengthening protections, introducing incentivisation and private prosecutions. This followed growing recognition that the current framework, including the Protected Disclosures Act, is insufficient to safeguard whistleblowers.
Furthermore, just last week ActionSA formally requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Justice in light of the Executive’s proposed amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act. Despite the urgency of this matter, we are still awaiting a response from the Minister.
ActionSA calls on the Minister of Justice to urgently engage on this matter and to work collaboratively to fast-track meaningful legislative reform before more Whistleblowers become statistics.