Author: Aisha Noor
March 21, 2025
HRRC condemns the violent murder of community activist Pamela Mabini who suffered a fatal gunshot outside her Kwazakhele property in Gqeberha, South Africa on March 7th.
![Community activist, Pamela Mabini was murdered in Kwazakhele. [Image credit: Fredlin Adriaan]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_d403c29a2efa49cf8e5c4ad2b98dfe82~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_750,h_472,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_d403c29a2efa49cf8e5c4ad2b98dfe82~mv2.png)
The murder of Pamela Mabini is a stark reminder about the risks that activists and pursuers of truth and justice face in contemporary South Africa.
As a fearless human rights advocate and Director of the Maro Foundation, Mabini played a central role in uncovering corruption stemming from televangelist Timothy Omotoso's activities. Through the information she revealed, authorities were able to file criminal charges against Omotoso for rape, racketeering, and human trafficking offenses. As a whistleblower, Mabini made herself open to attack, as her exposure of the truth likely instilled fear among criminals.
Whistleblower protections are currently in a dire state in South Africa as evidenced by the death of Mabini. People who challenge corruption face continuous harassment and threats, and many are killed as a result of their actions.
The national whistleblower protection system shows its complete breakdown because of this terrible incident. Any existing legal protections have failed to protect individuals like Mabini as the police do not enforce them adequately and victims lack sufficient support services.
The death of Mabini coincides with the tragic outcomes suffered by multiple whistleblowers like Babita Deokaran, Athol Williams, and Jimmy Mohlala.
HRRC calls upon the South African government to adopt the Whistleblower Protections Bill.
President Cyril Ramaphosa must fulfill his promises regarding whistleblower protection by immediately implementing preventive measures against future tragedies.
The consequences of inaction toward corruption will strengthen the harmful practice and expose whistleblowers to danger and, potentially, death.
Glossary
Activist: A person who actively campaigns for social or political change, often focusing on human rights or community issues.
Human Rights Commission: A national body that works to promote and protect human rights within a country.
Human Trafficking: The illegal trade of humans for the purpose of exploitation, often through forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Nonprofit Organization: An organization that operates for a social, charitable, or educational cause rather than for profit.
Public Protector: An independent government office in South Africa tasked with investigating complaints of maladministration or misconduct in government.
Regulatory Framework: A set of rules and laws designed to govern or manage a specific field or activity, such as the protection of whistleblowers.
Retaliation: Punitive action taken against an individual for reporting misconduct or engaging in protected activity, such as whistleblowing.
Whistleblower Protection: Legal safeguards designed to protect whistleblowers from retaliation, such as termination, harassment, or harm.
Whistleblower: An individual who exposes unethical, illegal, or corrupt activities within an organization or government.
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