Whistle-blower, political activist murdered in Shoba area

Simangaliso Zwane was shot dead on July 25 next to a tavern in the Shoba area.
Zwane was known as a political activist and a whistle-blower who more recently contacted the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) regarding several alleged irregularities of corruption, fraud and lack of service delivery in communities. Some of these allegations led CoGTA to start with preliminary investigations. There are more allegations in the letter to CoGTA that was published in the Vryheid Herald of May 31.
According to a witness, six shots were fired, of which two missed Zwane and the other four hit him in the back. He was shot with a pistol and died at the scene. Police are investigating the case.
A few weeks ago, the Northern Natal News reported on another whistle-blower in Vryheid who was shot but survived. The court case regarding that attempted murder case is still ongoing.
According to a press statement by the website www.presidency.gov.za in June 2022, a whistle-blower is ‘a person who discloses information about wrongdoing in the workplace and reasonably believes that there is evidence of gross mismanagement or activity that is illegal, criminal, unethical, corrupt, or in violation of the law’.
Whistle-blowing is important, as it encourages institutions or organisations to promote transparency, compliance and fair treatment, and address the causes of malpractice.
What are the rights of whistle-blowers?
The law provides for the rights of whistle-blowers, such as the right to:
• Enjoy full employment under conditions safeguarding their fundamental freedoms and just and favourable working conditions;
• Hold opinions without interference, communicate freely, and maintain transparency;
• Protect their identity and keep the information they provide confidential;
• Submit concerns of misconduct for consideration to a competent and impartial institution;
• Due process and have a fair hearing to defend themselves.
• An accelerated and timely decision when exercising their legal rights.
• Be afforded sufficient time and facilities to communicate with legal counsel of their choice;
• Sanctions against retaliations and have their reputation protected.
In the press statement, it states that ‘it is essential that whistle-blowers are protected, supported and a conducive environment is created to encourage more people to act as whistle-blowers. The eradication and combating of corruption is everyone’s responsibility, and a call is therefore made to all to blow the whistle against wrongdoing, maladministration, fraud and corruption’.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.