Whistleblowers play a major role in protecting democracy by uncovering corruption and help bring the truth to light, often benefiting society in the process. However, they do so at great risk to themselves especially where the government is a dictatorship as is the case in several African countries. This article by is published by Deutsche Welle. Here is an excerpt:

Babita Deokaran was shot dead in broad daylight outside her home in Johannesburg on August 23. She had just dropped her daughter off at school when a car full of men pulled up next to her and opened fire.

As the acting chief financial officer at the Gauteng Provincial Government Department of Health, the 53-year-old South African had repeatedly acted as a whistleblower. The South African Special Investigating Unit (SIU) confirmed that she was a key witness in an ongoing investigation into the overpriced procurement of COVID-19 protective clothing.

The corruption affair, which is currently being heard in court, involves about €20 million ($22 million).

Read the full article here.