As ActionSA Provincial Chairperson, I have been invited to attend the disciplinary hearing of the suspended CFO of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms. Buthelezi, who finds herself persecuted after exposing corruption relating to the Sports Fitness Centre in Newcastle Municipality. Instead of being protected for her stand against corruption, she has been victimised, suspended, and accused of corruption by her own department.
We formally wrote to the KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli in November 2024, alerting him of the situation, and requested that an investigation be done.
Shockingly, instead of dealing with the allegations of corruption, the Department saw fit to accuse Ms. Buthelezi of being my whistle-blower. I have stated on multiple occasions that she was not the source of this information. The government’s fixation on scapegoating her has been deeply concerning, while the actual corruption remains uninvestigated.
It is troubling that the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) that has repeatedly portrayed itself as one that protects whistle-blowers is instead failing them.
Independent audits had revealed that funds were allocated to the Newcastle Local Municipality for the fitness centre, yet no work had been carried out. This should have been the government’s priority to follow the money trail and hold those truly responsible accountable. Instead, an innocent official is being victimised.
Furthermore, it is unacceptable that there are suspicions from the government suggesting Ms. Buthelezi was in contact with me regarding this case. I must make it clear, Ms. Buthelezi was not my whistle-blower.
We will be attending the disciplinary hearing today, as a witness and show solidarity to the CFO and to highlight the need for transparency and accountability in government. We believe it is essential to stand up against this blatant attempt to silence those who dare to speak out against corruption.
We are concerned with the possible conflict of interest from the current HOD who laid the charges against Ms Buthelezi.
I am pleased that the true whistle-blower is willing to come forward and testify before the disciplinary panel, confirming that they provided the information to me. I respect their decision to take this step in defence of the CFO.
As I have consistently done, I protect the identities of those who trust me with information, but I will not stand in the way if the whistle-blower chooses to reveal themselves and provide testimony on record.
KZN Government Fails Whistleblowers: Corruption Ignored, CFO Punished
As ActionSA Provincial Chairperson, I have been invited to attend the disciplinary hearing of the suspended CFO of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms. Buthelezi, who finds herself persecuted after exposing corruption relating to the Sports Fitness Centre in Newcastle Municipality. Instead of being protected for her stand against corruption, she has been victimised, suspended, and accused of corruption by her own department.
We formally wrote to the KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli in November 2024, alerting him of the situation, and requested that an investigation be done.
Shockingly, instead of dealing with the allegations of corruption, the Department saw fit to accuse Ms. Buthelezi of being my whistle-blower. I have stated on multiple occasions that she was not the source of this information. The government’s fixation on scapegoating her has been deeply concerning, while the actual corruption remains uninvestigated.
It is troubling that the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) that has repeatedly portrayed itself as one that protects whistle-blowers is instead failing them.
Independent audits had revealed that funds were allocated to the Newcastle Local Municipality for the fitness centre, yet no work had been carried out. This should have been the government’s priority to follow the money trail and hold those truly responsible accountable. Instead, an innocent official is being victimised.
Furthermore, it is unacceptable that there are suspicions from the government suggesting Ms. Buthelezi was in contact with me regarding this case. I must make it clear, Ms. Buthelezi was not my whistle-blower.
We will be attending the disciplinary hearing today, as a witness and show solidarity to the CFO and to highlight the need for transparency and accountability in government. We believe it is essential to stand up against this blatant attempt to silence those who dare to speak out against corruption.
We are concerned with the possible conflict of interest from the current HOD who laid the charges against Ms Buthelezi.
I am pleased that the true whistle-blower is willing to come forward and testify before the disciplinary panel, confirming that they provided the information to me. I respect their decision to take this step in defence of the CFO.
As I have consistently done, I protect the identities of those who trust me with information, but I will not stand in the way if the whistle-blower chooses to reveal themselves and provide testimony on record.