Light a candle for justice: ACM's national call to protect whistleblowers

THE Active Citizens Movement (ACM) has issued a national call for South Africans to join a candlelight vigil on December 9, following the assassination of yet another whistleblower.

This call comes in the wake of the brazen assassination of Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, known as Witness D before the Madlanga Commission, who was gunned down outside his home.

His murder adds to the tragic list of slain truth-tellers, including Babita Deokaran and Mpho Mafole; a stark reminder that whistleblowers and witnesses continue to be under siege and the state has failed them, the organisation said in statement today.

“When those who speak truth to power are systematically silenced, the foundation of our democracy itself is under attack,” the statement read.

As corruption claims more lives, the ACM has demanded immediate government action to protect those who expose wrongdoing and calls on citizens to 'Light a Candle for Justice' in solidarity.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, organisation has called on every South African to join a national candlelight vigil on December 9, from 7pm to 8pm in a united stand against corruption and the escalating killings of those who expose it.

“The killing of whistleblowers has become a national emergency,” said the ACM.

“We are sliding into what analysts describe as a ‘mafia-state environment’, where violence is used to silence those who expose theft, state capture, and the abuse of public resources. But our resolve to end this scourge does not stop with a candlelight vigil. We must intensify our efforts to ensure meaningful, systemic change,” the organisation added.

“Despite repeated commitments by the State to strengthen whistleblower protection, the current framework remains woefully inadequate. The Protected Disclosures Act offers limited protection, applies mainly to employer-employee relationships, and provides no guarantee of confidentiality or physical safety.

“The very institutions mandated to protect citizens, particularly the South African Police Service (SAPS), are themselves embroiled in allegations of corruption and gross incompetence, leaving whistleblowers helpless and exposed,” it added.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promises to ‘redouble’ our efforts to protect whistleblowers, rings hollow in the face of continued inaction. The ACM submitted a petition with 28 000 signatures to the President in June 2023, demanding urgent reform, yet received no response. This follows earlier comprehensive proposals submitted to the Zondo Commission in March 2021. To date, nothing has changed.

“Promises are not protection. We cannot wait for another funeral before action is taken,” the ACM said.

“We demand that President Ramaphosa express less ‘shock’ and act to urgently implement constructive and effective interim measures to provide primarily physical protection, but also job security and legal and financial assistance. The time for talking is over, Mr President” ACM further demands that attacks on truth-tellers be declared a National Disaster to unlock fast-track funding and multi- agency intervention.

“South Africa co-chaired the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group and the AU’s Anti-Corruption Day focused on 'Human Dignity', yet citizens who expose wrongdoing continue to pay with their lives. The ACM encourages citizens to advocate for sustainable reforms, including a strengthened Whistleblower Protection Act with anonymous reporting and physical protection, and to support broader anti-corruption measures such as tightened procurement rules and lifestyle audits,” the ACM said.

For the “Light a Candle for Justice” vigil, the ACM urges all households, faith groups, civic organisations, and workplaces to take part.

“This is a moment to stand together, illuminate the darkness of corruption, and demand immediate, tangible action to safeguard those who risk everything for justice. Light a candle in your window, doorway, community, or at organised gatherings,” the ACM added.

The ACM’s message is clear: “Light a candle. Stand together. Defend truth. Protect those who protect our democracy.”

On Thursday, ACM held a dialogue with internationally renowned epidemiologist and science advocate, Professor Salim Abdool Karim at CAPRISA, titled “Disinformation: an evolving threat to human rights”.

“Professor Karim reminded us that ‘disinformation was a political weapon used in State Capture for the accumulation of power and wealth’.

This led to attacks on truth-tellers such as Cynthia Stimple, Martha Ngoye and Athol Williams. The media and legal system were also not spared and were targeted,” the ACM said.

To mark International Anti-Corruption Day, ACM will be releasing the video recording of this dialogue. It premieres on the ACM YouTube channel on December 9, at 8pm.

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