Calls for government to fast-track protection bill following activist's murder

The murder of Pamela Mabini, a whistle-blower in the case against Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, has been described as another reminder of the immense dangers faced by those who fight for justice in the country. 

Civil society organisations have called for urgent protection of whistle-blowers following Mabini’s assassination. 

They said the government was moving too slowly to introduce the Whistleblower Protection Bill while whistle-blowers are suffering. 

However, the Public Service and Administration Department recently announced that the bill would be introduced in Parliament this year.

Mabini was found shot multiple times in her vehicle in Kwazakhele, Gqebhera, on March 7. 

This marked the second attempt in her life after she was targeted by unknown gunmen in 2018. This was after Mabini received threatening messages. 

Mabini was an anti-crime activist and a whistle-blower in Omotoso’s rape and trafficking case. 

She regularly attended the trial and played a crucial role in supporting the witnesses involved. 

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) blamed the government for the incident, saying that it was taking too long to introduce the protection bill.

Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said this shows that the government was not serious about moving fast.

“Meanwhile, these people are losing their jobs and their lives, and the government is not taking them seriously. It shows that the government is not serious about fighting corruption,” he said.

Whistle-blowers in South Africa have endured severe consequences. These include physical harm, intimidation, and loss of jobs and career prospects. Some have been murdered. Others have fled the country, fearing for their lives or safety.

During his State of Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Whistleblower Protection Bill would be introduced during the 7th Parliament. 

This was emphasised by Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration, who said the bill, which is a legislation dealing with the protection of whistle-blowers, is expected to be tabled before Parliament later this year.

However, the Public Interest SA said Mabini’s murder was another stark reminder of the immense dangers faced by activists, whistle-blowers, and those who challenge the status quo in our country. 

The organisation said it was unacceptable that those who champion justice continue to be hunted down with impunity.

“Public Interest SA calls on law enforcement authorities to act with urgency in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous, callous murder to justice. We demand a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation, with no stone left unturned.

“It is imperative that those responsible for this barbaric act are held to account and that the message is sent loud and clear: South Africa will not stand by as its bravest citizens are executed in cold blood,” said chairman Tebogo Khaas, adding that the government should prioritise the safety and protection of activists and whistle-blowers, who remain under constant threat for their courageous work.

The South African National Christian Forum said it was more frustrated by the lack of political will in protecting whistle-blowers. The forum also expressed disappointment in the “poor justice system that has allowed the endless delaying tactics in this matter”. 

“We wonder how many are still targeted before the trial concludes. This is a pure abuse of our justice system by foreign nationals who enjoy more rights than citizens of this country,” said President Bishop Marothi Mashashane.

The ANC Women’s League said the killing of Mabini was a stark reminder of the depth of lawlessness and entrenched disregard for the welfare and, at most, the right to life, especially for women.

The party’s secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba said this brutal murder would certainly not deter the ANC Women’s League and gender activists en masse from continuing the fight consistent with the Constitution of our country, which protects the rights of all persons and guarantees the right to life.

“We, therefore, shall proceed as we declared in this year’s theme of the International Women’s Day to accelerate action and collectively take decisive steps through feasible interventions to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), and address the systematic imbalance created through inherent patriarchy to discriminate based on sex and gender.

“The ANC Women's League reiterates the call to join hands in the fight for a crime-free, gender equal, and peaceful society, where a girl child is given fair opportunities to develop to their full potential.

“The National Executive Committee of the ANC Women's League and all our structures will not defer our revolutionary task to support victims of GBVF and will take all available lawful avenues to pursue this mandate,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association welcomed the announcement to introduce the Whistleblower Protection Bill in Parliament this year, saying it underscores the government's commitment to strengthening legal safeguards for persons who expose corruption and misconduct.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za