Whistleblowers | Stories of Courage
In this video, attorney and whistleblower Rosemary Hunter shares her experiences at the Financial Services Board (FSB) after being appointed deputy registrar of pension funds in 2013. Rosemary describes the initial excitement of her new role, which quickly turned into a struggle against resistance from her colleagues and superiors.
She reveals alarming practices related to the rushed deregistration of pension funds, where proper due diligence on assets and liabilities was overlooked. Despite facing pushback for questioning these procedures, Rosemary remained committed to uncovering the truth. Her story sheds light on the challenges whistleblowers face and the urgent need for integrity within regulatory bodies.
In this powerful video, Joanna Phenya, the widow of the late Marumo Eric Phenya, shares her story as the founder and managing director of Foresight IT Business Solutions. Joanna bravely discusses the corruption and fraud they uncovered at the Department of Home Affairs, which ultimately led to her husband’s assassination.
Nearly 23 months have passed since Marumo was gunned down, yet no arrests have been made, despite the police releasing images of the known suspects. Joanna expresses her unwavering commitment to testify against those responsible after her husband’s funeral, determined to ensure his death was not in vain.
Media Interviews
In his address to the nation on Sunday President Cyril Ramaphosa commended whistleblowers for their contribution to the work of the Commission. He also says their protection is critical and wants to ensure that they are better protected. SAA Whistleblower Cynthia Stimpel, and Passenger Rail Agency of SA Whistleblower, Martha Ngoye.
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In the late 2010s, former South African President Jacob Zuma was exposed for state capture with the notorious Gupta family, costing taxpayers billions wasted dollars. This was exposed by the people who risked their safety to report corruption in state bodies and the contractors working for them. But whistleblowers are often ousted from their jobs and even assassinated. That’s why Cynthia Stimpel, who blew the whistle on the late Dudu Myeni, is walking the Cape Camino to raise awareness.
Whilst whistle-blowing can be described as one mechanism that can be instrumental in addressing systemic corruption in the continent - it often comes at an immense cost for the whistle-blowers.
The State Capture Commission's recommendation, contained in its report released in 2022, that legislation on whistle-blowers be amended to provide increased protection.
Joining us now to discuss the Walking For Whistleblowers initiative is Whistleblower House Founder Cynthia Stimpel.
Government has started to respond to the calls to protect whistleblowers. Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, has made recommendations for the protection of whistleblowers which is now open for comment until the middle of August. The discussion document proposes measures such as a fund to support whistleblowers. To discuss we're joined by Cynthia Stimpel who is the Director of Whistleblower House.
For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.
Lets continue our conversation on the protection and safety of whistleblowers in South Africa. We are now joined by the Co-founding director at the Whistleblower House Liezl Groenewald. She is also the Senior Manager of Organizational Ethics Development at The Ethics Institute.
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There is now a whistleblower house that has been launched. The organisation was founded by former deputy commissioner at the South African Revenue Service Ivan Pillay, former CEO of Trillian Management Consulting Bianca Goodson, as well as the senior manager of organisational ethics at The Ethics Institute, Liezl Groenewald. It aims to protect whistleblowers, as well as facilitate support services for whistleblowers. It also seeks to create awareness of their plight, given the public outcry to treat whistleblowers better. Cynthia Stimpel, a whistleblower former Group Treasurer at SAA as well as author of Hijackers on Board.
Launch of The Whistleblower House
The South African Council of Churches, in collaboration with the Whistleblower House, hosted a webinar on the crucial role of whistleblowers play in the fight against corruption. Co-founder of the Whistleblower House Dr. Liezl Groenewald speaks to #eNCA Courtesy #DStv403
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will address the anti-corruption summit. As much as he's speaking as a deputy head of state, it's interesting that one of the senior members has resigned from his party, citing among others, corruption in the state, under the rule of his governing party.
The protection of whistleblowers has come under the spotlight in recent years and was brought into sharp focus by the assassination of Gauteng Health Manager Babita Deokoran in 2021.
To discuss this, we speak to Executive Director of the Whistleblower House Cynthia Stempel and Deputy General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, Reverend Mzwandile Molo. #DStv403
The case against six men accused of the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran has been postponed to the 15th of August 2023 in the High Court in Johannesburg.
This as one of the accused's advocates was not present in court and to allow several administrative matters to be resolved.
Deokaran was shot dead outside her home in Winchester Hills, South of Johannesburg, in August 2021.
Ben Theron, Executive director of the Whistleblower House
For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.
In South Africa, the safety of those who speak out against corruption and other types of malfeasance cannot be guaranteed. Nor can the extent to which they’re often ostracised and isolated be guarded against. Whistleblowers are often harassed, demoted or dismissed from work; they risk financial ruin, psychological trauma and, in some cases, they even pay with their lives. But despite the challenges, whistleblowers continue to display immense courage, standing up against injustice when no one else will stand with them. It’s a gap now being filled by the Whistleblower House, an online platform offering a range of supports, including legal and financial advice, to those who sacrifice so much in the name of accountability and justice. Carte Blanche meets the people behind this cause.
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Whistleblower Interviews