NPA must do more to protect whistleblowers – Accountability Now
An anti-corruption body says witness protection needs to be improved to ensure that those exposing wrongdoing get the support they need.
Accountability Now says the protection of witnesses in the country remains a challenge.
The group's been commenting after a woman and her husband were gunned down outside a court in Randburg last week.
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They were about to give evidence in an assault case against four police officers.
The watchdog's Advocate Paul Hoffman says while it's important for witnesses to apply for protection, he's concerned about delays in its implementation under the current law.
"If you’re able to persuade the NPA that you will be such a witness, you will be afforded protection, which can involve living in a safe house, getting a new identity and being hidden.
"That is possible in South Africa if you qualify as a person identified by the National Prosecuting Authority as a necessary witness in a pending prosecution."
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