Commemorating World Whistleblowers Day

Johannesburg, Monday, 23 June 2025 — On this World Whistleblowers Day, Public Interest SA pays tribute to the courage and moral fortitude of whistleblowers — individuals who risk everything to expose corruption, abuse of power, and gross misconduct in both the public and private sectors.

In a society confronting systemic failures of governance and accountability, whistleblowers serve as vital custodians of democracy and ethical citizenship. Their disclosures have exposed deep-seated malfeasance, saved public resources, and catalysed important institutional reforms. However, these acts of bravery are too often met with retribution rather than protection. The continued threats, harassment, and in some tragic instances, assassinations of whistleblowers — as in the case of Jimmy Mohlala, Moss Phakoe, and Babita Deokaran — underscore a national failure to protect those who act in the public interest.

Public Interest SA therefore calls on the South African government to move with urgency in strengthening whistleblower protection mechanisms. This includes long-awaited legislative reform, provision of psychosocial and legal support, physical protection where necessary, and the establishment of an independent, well-resourced whistleblower protection agency.

On this day of reflection and recommitment, Public Interest SA reaffirms its unwavering support for whistleblowers and urges all sectors of society to do the same. We believe that protecting whistleblowers is not just a legal imperative — it is a moral and civic duty.

Let us honour whistleblowers not only in word but in deed, by standing up for those who stand up for all of us.

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Issued by:

Tebogo Khaas

Chairperson, Public Interest SA