PROTECTED DISCLOSURES
Whistle-blower bill held up after DA walkout
The DA forced the select committee on security and justice to stall the adoption of the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill when the party walked out of a meeting to discuss the draft law on Thursday. The bill is aimed at providing protection for whistle-blowers in the private sector and in public service. It has been debated in the National Assembly and there is consensus the draft law would serve as a critical addition to the fight against corruption. Although the ANC supports the amendment bill in its entirety, the DA and other opposition parties fear a clause that criminalises false disclosures will discourage whistle-blowing. Section 9b of the amendment bill reads: "An employee or worker who intentionally discloses false information knowing that information to be false … is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both a fine and such imprisonment."
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