Citing fears for his safety, University of Cape Town lecturer Athol Williams has left South Africa. Williams has testified before the Zondo Commission about individuals and companies implicated in state capture.
Williams told the media that he had departed on 1 November, a decision related to the murder of Babita Deokaran, who was active in uncovering corruption in the Gauteng Department of Health: ‘Knowing that my government offers me no protection after I’ve acted in the public interest is a disturbing reality. I implicated 39 parties in my testimony so threats could come from many places. After receiving warnings from trusted allies and a civil society organisation about a coordinated effort against me, I took the sad step to leave home, again without any help.’
He added that he has not received much support from South African business or from UCT. South Africa’s corporate sector and government were abdicating their responsibilities.
‘They have let down all South Africans, preferring empty statements and platitudes over sincerity and authenticity. We are losing our battle against corruption because our government is allowing it, if not participating in it,’ he said.
When Deokaran was murdered in August, President Cyril Ramaphosa said of whistleblowers: ‘They speak out in good faith and with a reasonable expectation not only that action will be taken on their disclosures, but that they will be protected and not suffer victimisation or prejudice.’
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