South Africa: Whistleblowing

Yes, the Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 (the "Protected Disclosures Act") provides protection to employees and workers from being subjected to any "occupational detriment" as a result of making a "protected disclosure."

As discussed by Webber Wentzel's employment team, whistleblowing can be abused by those seeking to further their own ends or purposefully harm an individual or wider organisation.

​​​Whistleblowing is widely regarded as a critical tool for promoting transparency and accountability in organisations. It allows individuals to report unethical behaviour or misconduct without fear of retaliation. However, false and malicious whistleblowing has emerged as a significant issue in South Africa, raising concerns over the misuse of this protective mechanism.