The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) under the banner of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum has put together a five-episode series of webinars that will shine the spotlight on the state of whistleblowing and witness protection in South Africa.
The webinars are an initiative of the SIU together with the Department of Justice and Correctional Service, Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), and the Department of Public Service and Administration, in partnership with Maverick Citizen.
In the introductory webinar scheduled to take place on Sunday, 19 September 2021 at 18h00, Head of SIU Advocate Andy Mothibi will be joined by former Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela, and former SIU Head Willie Hofmeyr, to unpack the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption in South Africa. The panel will also look at the challenges confronting whistle-blowers, as well as potential solutions to ensure a safer, more conducive environment.
The webinars follow an adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) by Cabinet in 2020, which has become a blueprint for the country in terms of the approach to fight corruption.
The NACS has six pillars and one of those pillars emphasize the need to promote and encourage active citizenry, whistleblowing, integrity and transparency in all spheres of society.
The NACS has adopted “a whole of government and society approach” in the fight against corruption. This approach requires all sectors of society (public, business, civil society, religious and traditional) to play an active role in improving anti-corruption and integrity regulations. The success of the fight against corruption is largely dependent on whistleblowers who continuously detect and report acts of malfeasance in all sectors of the society. However, the threats and perceived poor protection of whistleblowers remains a big challenge in the fight against corruption.
The webinars will explore different thematic areas with diverse subject matter experts from public, business and civil society. The themes will include amongst others, whistleblower and witness protection, understanding of how whistleblowing works, whistleblowing regulation and legal framework.
Below is a full schedule of webinars:
Topic: The importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption
Date: 19 September 2021
Duration: 01 hour
Click on link to register Unpacking Whistle-Blowing in South Africa (webinarjam.com)
Topic: Understanding the whistle-blower regulations and legal framework
Date: 3 October 2021
Duration: 01 hour
Topic: Whistleblowing and witness protection: the nuts & bolts
Date: 17 October 2021
Duration: 01 hour
Topic: Challenges and Risks: the view from the Whistle-blowers
Date: 31 October 2021
Duration: 01 hour
Topic: Incentivising whistle-blowers: exploring the practical approaches & best practises
Date: 14 November 2021
Time: 01 hour
NB: Media advisories with full details of the speakers and registration links will be issued.
Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms: siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774
Enquiries:
Kaizer Kganyago
SIU spokesperson
Tel: 012 843 0048
Cell: 082 306 8888
E-mail: kkganyago@siu.org.za
