Chairperson, the report in today's Cape Times about a whistle-blower whose salary was frozen and his official car taken away raises serious concerns. This action undermines the Protected Disclosures Act, which encourages employees to "disclose information regarding improprieties by his or her colleagues, other stakeholders and employer". According to this Act, government will not tolerate the harassment or victimisation of a whistle-blower and will take action to protect employees when they raise a concern in good faith.
Government has also promised to do its best to protect an individual's identity when he or she raises a concern and does not want his or her identity to be disclosed. The ACDP wants to know why employees who want to expose corruption are suspended and in some cases even expelled from their jobs. If informants are not protected but victimised, then what hope do we have for ever winning the war on corruption? We believe whistle-blowers should be treated as heroes and not villains. Those who are victimising whistle-blowers are condoning corruption and should be investigated.
Earlier this year, a Member of Parliament was lambasted for exposing contents from a leaked document showing how Eskom has been charging, and will continue to charge, some companies such as BHP Billiton discounted electricity tariffs. Had it not been for whistle-blowers this would not have come to light. Government must do more to gain the confidence of members of the public who are aware of corruption. If they are convinced that their identities will be protected, more will come forward in order to expose the corruption that is plaguing our society. Thank you.