What protection does government offer to whistleblowers?

The Protected Disclosures Act of 2000 and it’s amendment in 2017 provide for the procedures for employees making disclosures regarding unlawful or irregular conduct in the public and private sectors. Take careful note that protection under this act depends on the correct procedure being followed when making your disclosure. It is strongly recommended that you take advice either from a legal entity or any of the whistleblowing hotlines mentioned below before making your disclosure.

Read here about the Public Protector’s concern about the victimisation of whistleblowers as reported by News24 on 1st September 2017

The Open Democracy Advice Centre has a Whistleblower Helpline: 0800 52 53 52 (toll-free) and has a useful blog on Creating A Culture Of Supporting Whistleblowing You can download the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) Code of Good Practice on Whistleblowing here

There are whistleblowing hotlines at:

eThekwini Municipality (Durban) City Integrity and Investigations Toll free Hotline: 0800 20 20 20
Email: ombuds@durban.gov.za For more information on eThekwini City Integrity and Investigations follow this link
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature unique hotline number is : 0800 000 434 For more information on KwaZulu-Natal Legislature follow this link
The South African National Government Fraud Hotline Contact details is: 0800 601 011
The National Anti-corruption Forum Tel is: 0800 701 701
Public Protector SA Tel is - 0800 112040
Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) Toll-free Helpline 0800-52 53 52 (0800 la le la)
ODAC Mobile Helpline 060-643-4355
ODAC Email Helpline: helpline@odac.org.za

The Protected Disclosures Act 26 Of 2000 and the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act, 2017 can be downloaded below.
The Protected Disclosures Act 26 Of 2000 (PDA) can be downloaded here
Protected Disclosures Amendment Act, 2017 is available here

The introduction to these Acts can be read below.
The Protected Disclosures Act 26 Of 2000 (PDA) makes “provision for procedures in terms of which employees in both the private and the public sector may disclose information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by their employers or other employees in the employ of their employers; to provide for the protection of employees who make a disclosure which is protected in terms of this Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith.”

Protected Disclosures Amendment Act, 2017 amended The PDA of 2000 so as to extend the application of the Act to any person who works or worked for the State or another person or who in any manner assists or assisted in carrying on or conducting the business of an employer or client as an independent contractor, consultant, agent or person rendering services to a client while being employed by a temporary employment service; to regulate joint liability of employers and their clients; to introduce a duty to inform employees or workers who have disclosed information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct; to provide for immunity against civil and criminal liability flowing from a disclosure of information which shows or tends to show that a criminal offence has been committed, is being committed or is reasonably likely to be committed; to create an offence for the disclosure of false information; and to provide for matters connected therewith.