Advocate Andy Mothibi seeks stronger whistleblower laws

A legal overhaul targeting whistleblower protections just became the NPA's top priority after years of snitches getting burned by a toothless system.

Advocate Mothibi's big pitch

• Andy Mothibi wants faster court orders against retaliation.
• Stiffer penalties for anyone who targets whistleblowers landed high.
• His first major presser dropped after a February start.
• Justice Department amendments are already being drafted.

Why current laws basically fail

• The Protected Disclosures Act lacks real enforcement teeth.
• Whistleblowers shoulder the burden of proving payback.
• Some informants fled the country over safety fears.
• Investigations into threats drag on for years.

What the NPA actually needs from snitches

• State-capture prosecutions leaned heavily on insider tips.
• Asset Forfeiture Unit clawed back billions via leaks.
• Retaliation fears keep potential sources totally silent.
• Mothibi frames stronger safeguards as conviction boosters.

Reform push has backup momentum

• Zondo Commission recommendations fueled the whole legislative push.
• Civil-society groups got looped into shaping amendments.
• Draft changes should hit Parliament within months.
• South Africa's paper-tiger laws lag behind global standards.