Minister Kubayi to shield whistleblowers, questions integrity of NPA prosecutors

Whistleblowers have often paid a heavy price for exposing corruption.

Many have faced threats, job losses, violence and even death, with little in the way of state protection.

Now, a long-awaited bill to protect them will be tabled.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the pledge during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night.

Justice Minister Mamoloko Kubayi says that with the Whistleblower Protection Bill, the government is stepping in with financial assistance and stronger safeguards to protect those who take the risk.

"We would write both to Parliament and to the leader of government business to request that this Bill be fast-tracked, because it is urgently needed."

Kubayi explains that there has previously been no legal framework in place to allow the government to provide support to whistleblowers.

The financial support is meant to help those who lose income or face danger after speaking out.

It is not uncommon, she says, for a whistleblower to be suspended or dismissed from their role and then lose everything.

"When they dismiss them, in that period where they're still waiting for their pensions, or they are still fighting, they lose their house, they lose their cars. This [Bill] is one of the mechanisms to be used to protect them."

Another significant impact of the bill will be to link the whistleblower process to witness protection.

"We are expanding the mandate of the witness protection so it can now have the responsibility of looking after whistleblowers," says Khubayi.

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At the same time, Kubayi has called on the new National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, to introduce lifestyle audits at the National Prosecuting Authority, a move aimed at ensuring prosecutors are beyond reproach.

But there has been some resistance, admits Kubayi.

"I asked for a lifestyle audit in February last year, for the NPA start the process. Not a single one has started or completed the form."

She says, based on information given to her, the only way she can be assured prosecutors are beyond reproach is for them to subject themselves to audits.

"So that I, as a minister, can stand proudly and say I have a clean NPA, because currently I have doubts."

To listen to Kubayi in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: