Patriotic Alliance Member of Parliament Ashley Sauls has renewed calls for stronger protection of whistleblowers and key witnesses, warning that South Africa will struggle to defeat corruption unless those who expose wrongdoing are adequately safeguarded.
Sauls, who serves on the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, attended the funeral of former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer Marius van der Merwe in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg.
Van der Merwe, who was laid to rest on Tuesday, was assassinated more than a week ago. He had previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in November under the pseudonym “Witness D”, detailing alleged misconduct within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
Speaking on the sidelines of the funeral, Sauls said government needed to place greater emphasis on protecting individuals who take personal risks to expose corruption.
“Government needs to do more. We must start prioritising those who are doing good for our country,” Sauls said. “We invest in many other areas, yet corruption continues to take the lead in our country.”
He added that whistleblowers and witnesses play a critical role in safeguarding public resources. “We must prioritise those who are standing up against corrupt acts and who are trying to protect the wealth of our country. We should be investing in them,” Sauls said.
Meanwhile, Madlanga Commission of Inquiry spokesperson Jeremy Michaels described van der Merwe’s murder as a turning point for the Commission. He said the killing would not deter its work.
“The Commission will not be intimidated and urges relevant law enforcement agencies to track down and bring to book all those who seek to undermine the work of the Commission and the rule of law,” Michaels said.
He added that the Commission had been encouraged by an increase in witnesses coming forward to assist with investigations into allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.