It is fitting that World Whistleblower Day follows relatively soon after World Press Freedom Day, writes Janine Erasmus for CW Voices, because the two groups are linked in a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship. Each relies on the other to a certain degree – journalists to get information for their stories from whistle-blowers, and whistle-blowers for the exposition of their stories by journalists.
On the commemoration of this year’s World Whistleblower Day, held on 23 June, we focus our attention on whistle-blowers who were instrumental in the work of the state capture commission. They came from different sections of government and the private sector, and told of their unwavering courage, and large personal and career sacrifices to a commission that has since advocated for increased protection of such individuals.
The National Prosecuting Authority wants convicted fraudster Daniel Mtimkulu to serve at least 15 years for his crimes. Mtimkulu is Prasa’s former head engineer, but was revealed to have misrepresented his qualifications and other documents, which he used to motivate for better perks from the SEO. It was under his watch that the too-tall Afro 4000 locomotives were built, at a cost of billions to Prasa.
Youth Day is an important reminder of the work that lies ahead for the government we just voted in, that many young people are yet to experience the gains of post-1994, writes Siphokuhle Mkancu for the CW Voices blog.
South Africa has scored 33 out of 40 in terms of political rights, and 46 out of 60 for civil liberties, on the Freedom in the World 2024 index, published annually by Freedom House. However, the country, which successfully navigated a free and fair general election in recent weeks, fared less impressively in sub-categories concerning governance and corruption, rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.
Tomorrow and Saturday, 14 and 15 June, are the first sittings of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, respectively. Parly secretary Xolile George, briefing the media and the nation on the preparations for this important event, said the parliamentary teams have been hard at work to ensure a seamless transition from the sixth to the seventh term of the national legislature.
Deputy minister of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery, has confirmed that government is currently developing a draft bill in response to recommendations made by the public to the department’s discussion paper on improving whistle-blower protection, which was released in June last year. Jeffery was speaking at the second Thulani Maseko memorial lecture, held on 12 June in Pretoria.
The long-delayed corruption trial of former police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli has been set to begin on 7 October 2024 in the North Gauteng High Court. Mdluli will appear in the dock with two co-accused, former SAPS head of supply chain management Heine Barnard and former SAPS crime intelligence chief financial officer Solomon Lazarus.
Former sports, arts and culture minister Zizi Kodwa faces corruption charges, and has stepped aside from both his public and party duties as a result. The charges stem from an allegedly corrupt relationship Kodwa had with EOH senior executive Jehan Mackay, while he (Kodwa) was ANC spokesperson.
Visit our GivenGain R20 for Change page and help us demand transparency in our systems, accountability in our leaders, and better empowerment and protection of whistle-blowers. By donating R20 a month, you’ll be supporting our work with communities across the country, helping them to know and access their rights and reduce the corruption that robs people of resources intended for their benefit.