South Africa: Whistleblower Protection Guidebook

Corruption is a global pandemic that South Africa has, over the past five years, made some strides in addressing but has ultimately failed to remedy. Law alone is a necessary but insufficient tool for the protection of any right; it also requires courage on the part of members of society to speak truth to power.

Many whistleblowers face significant consequences for their courageous actions, from job loss to adverse impacts on their health and overall welfare. In extreme situations, some have lost their lives. In a just society, whistleblowing should be safeguarded and applauded, not punished. A transparent, accountable and just society can only exist if individuals are able to shine a light on corruption and its various manifestations.

Thus, we confront the essential question: How might South African law be effectively harnessed to shield those who sound the alarm on corruption and speak truth to power? This guidebook offers practical guidance on leveraging existing legal provisions and mechanisms to empower and support whistleblowers in South Africa.

PPLAAF works with whistleblowers across the region and has collaborated with various civil society organisations that support and protect whistleblowers. This guidebook continues this effort by producing a comprehensive resource of the extensive range of legislation safeguarding whistleblowers, which is equally accessible to legal practitioners, civil society, and whistleblowers.

This guidebook will be useful for whistleblowers who are determining whether to make a disclosure or who have made a disclosure and require guidance on how to navigate South Africa’s legal framework. Civil society institutions and plaintiff-side legal practitioners may also find this guidebook helpful as it distils certain key legislative provisions underpinning whistleblower law in South Africa.

RSA-Whistleblower-Protection-Guidebook Download

PPLAAF is a non-governmental organisation established in 2017 to protect whistleblowers, as well as to advocate and engage in strategic litigation on their behalf when their revelations deal with the general interests of African citizens.