Occasional Paper

Protecting Whistle Blowers in South Africa: The Protected Disclosures Act, No 26 of 2000

“This paper challenges public opinion about whistle blowers and whistleblowing.It places the South African legislation to protect whistle blowers in the context of recent anti-corruption initiatives. A brief summary is given of the Protected Disclosures Act and its application. Some of the potential practical implications of whistle blower protection legislation for employers and employees in both the public and private sector organisations are touched upon. Putting effective legal protection in place for bona fide whistle blowers is one measure to fight corruption effectively in South Africa. More importantly, the Protected Disclosures Act has the potential to create the appropriate context for raising and addressing concerns in the workplace.”