Lotteries Commission offers whistleblowers support through education and career programs
The National Lotteries Commission is offering whistleblowers non-financial support
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The National Lotteries Commission is offering whistleblowers non-financial support, including funding for studies and career development, in order to repair harm caused by past corruption.
This comes after a "comprehensive reparative measures" process launched in 2023, aimed at recognising employees who faced threats, victimisation, or prejudice after exposing maladministration and corruption within the organisation.
The NLC said all claims were independently verified to ensure legality, fairness, and transparency, while the SARS 2020 reparative process served as a reference point.
In a statement issued to the media, the NLC said the measures prioritise restoration and healing over financial compensation, providing wellness support, educational sponsorships, and career reintegration programmes.
The programme will include employees who were employed between January 2017 and January 2023, made protected disclosures, and suffered direct harm or victimisation as a result, provided they were not implicated in any wrongdoing themselves.
"Restorative governance is not a soft option; it is a strategic one,” Jodi Scholtz, Commissioner of the NLC, said.
"We want to ensure that those who stood up for integrity were acknowledged and supported, while safeguarding public resources and upholding the law. This process embodies fairness, transparency, and healing not only for individuals, but also for the communities we serve,” she added.
She added that the reparative measures also extend to communities affected by past corruption, with infrastructure projects being rehabilitated or completed where feasible, while non-viable or legally compromised projects will be decommissioned.
"In the best interests of the participants, and in full compliance with the Constitutional right to privacy and the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), the NLC will not disclose the names of beneficiaries or the specific details of any non-financial awards to the media or the public."
Scholtz emphasised that the NLC’s approach is designed to restore trust in the public sector and uphold ethical standards.
“This process was about restoring dignity and rebuilding trust. We invite sister institutions across government to learn from our approach, adapt it to their mandates, and join us in demonstrating that accountability and compassion can and must coexist in the public interest.”
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