By Dereleen James MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA is sickened by the murder of a witness who testified before the Madlanga Commission in November, marking yet another unmistakable sign of South Africa’s descent into a mafia state.
While the full details are still being established, ActionSA believes that the protection of whistle-blowers and witnesses can no longer be a matter that government and law enforcement continue to kick down the road.
Tonight’s tragic development reinforces the urgent need for both Parliament’s Ad-Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to ensure that individuals whose roles, testimony or exposure place them at heightened risk are provided with appropriate and adequate protection, with due consideration for the seriousness of the matters under investigation.
ActionSA cannot reconcile with the fact that, at the very moment when both the Commission and the Committee are probing some of the most egregious examples of criminal infiltration of law enforcement and key institutions, those most vulnerable to intimidation and violence remain exposed to such fatal risks.
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account