Truth to Power: A Historical Overview of Whistleblowing in South Africa

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of several South African whistleblowers, highlighting the personal challenges faced when acting in the public interest to expose significant public issues. The narratives presented reveal the extensive prevalence of organisational misconduct across South Africa, spanning local, provincial, and national levels of government, as well as the private sector. The historical scope of this study begins with disclosures made in the decade preceding the enactment of the South African Protected Disclosures Act (PDA), moves through cases following its implementation, and concludes with recent incidents of “state capture,” where business figures exploit their close relationships with the state for personal gain. Through these accounts, the article provides a historical overview of whistleblowing in South Africa, illustrating the ongoing struggle against corruption and the complex interplay between public duty and personal risk.