[FULL STATEMENT] South African whistleblower “forced” to leave South Africa over safety fears
Speaker, author,
social advocate and whistle blower Athol Williams says he has been
forced to leave South Africa on 1 November, citing concerns around his
safety.
Williams, who testified at the State Capture Commission, released a statement on Sunday night in which he says that the government has not offered him any protection despite his testimony and complaints that threats against his life have been increasing since his appearance in front of the Commission.
“Concern for my safety had been growing since I blew the whistle on companies and individuals involved in state capture and testified before the Zondo Commission. Rather than diminish after I testified, these concerns increased while the prospect of prosecutions grew. After Babita Deokaran was assassinated, concerns spiked, because it showed that authorities were choosing not to proactively protect whistleblower,” reads the statement.
Williams adds that it would be imprudent to believe that the government is the only entity that is involved in corruption in South Africa.
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“The reality is that there are many important and influential people who we revere in society, who we offer awards to, who sit on boards and committees and lead grand initiatives and organisations, who are in fact enabling this capture and benefitting from it. The corrupted web stretches across our society and needs bold action to clear this out. It starts with each of us. Challenge those around you to act with conscience and with courage.”
During his testimony at the Zondo Commission, Williams implicated over 39 parties who had been involved in corruption and state capture.
READ FULL STATEMENT HERE:
