Are whistle-blowers an endangered species?

Host KG Mokgadi dons his whistle-blowing hero’s cape to play a humble “homo office workus” who metamorphosises into a “homo whistleblowis” and suffers the consequences. He then breaks it down with real-life whistle-blowing hero Cynthia Stimpel, who bravely stood up to corrupt dealings at South African Airways.

https://youtu.be/g6SOi8_RWS0

 

The impact of corruption can be seen in every corner of the country. And everything we know about every major government and corporate corruption scandal – from The Arms Deal to Guptagate – is because of a rare and endangered breed of South African citizen: the whistle-blower. 

It takes a special kind of integrity and courage to stick one’s neck out against powerful and connected people who can at a minimum ruin your career, even end your life.

Life is cheap in this country and the rewards of corruption can be huge. Why let a pesky person with a moral compass stand in the way?

“Comrades, I am not going to sugar coat it. Whistle-blowing is a kak job. So what can we do?” asks KG. “Well, there’s no magic bullet. Actually, we hope that there are no bullets at all.” 

South Africa’s history of being governed by a criminal regime has stigmatised and complicated the name and role of informants in the present day. 

During apartheid even being seen chatting to a police officer could mean the label of “impimpi” and painful consequences. With democracy, those scars and wounds still exist, especially when it can be past heroes who are doing the looting. 

Some believe “whistle-blowing” should be rebranded as “human rights defenders” or something else to signify the huge service they are doing for the nation. 

Babita Deokoran paid the ultimate price for blowing the whistle on PPE corruption. Athol Williams is living in exile, the last witness standing in SARS-related irregularities, under threat even now. 

“At the time I did not see myself as a whistle-blower. I saw myself as a person just doing her job according to our policies and procedures within our organisation,” says Cynthia Stimpel. Eight long years after refusing to go along with corruption at SAA, she now helps others in the same situation through The Whistleblower House. 

“It really does trigger me, and my apologies if I become emotional, because the post-traumatic stress disorder that I have gone through, just doing country duty...” – Martha Ngoye, Prasa “whistle-blower”.

A key finding of the Zondo commission of inquiry into State Capture, reiterated by the President, was that whistle-blowers needed greater protection. 

Current legislation in the form of the Protected Disclosures Act does not go far enough, as it only states whistle-blowers should not suffer “occupational detriment.” 

According to Cynthia, the impact goes far beyond that into every aspect of their lives, starting with losing their job: “Even though the Protected Disclosures Act states no occupational detriment. And the knock-on effect is that when you’re not earning, you then cannot pay your bills. … also, which is not accounted for in any legislation, there’s the impact of your mental health.”

These huge sacrifices have yielded results and stopped some of the worst looting. But we have a long way to go, and rather than an endangered species, whistle-blowing must be protected and encouraged for a healthy democracy.

Ordinary citizens can really help whistle-blowers by listening to and supporting them. They can also donate to the various civil societies who are assisting, like The Whistleblower House, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Active Citizens Movement, Corruption Watch, and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa). DM

Watch out for the accompanying podcast for the full interview with Cynthia Stimpel about her harrowing experience standing up to SAA bullies and the work of The Whistleblower House. 

Support Cynthia Stimpel’s Walking4Whistleblowers campaign by pledging a donation for every kilometre walked at this link.