Abstract
In the South African context, whistleblowing has been seen as an essential mechanism to combat corruption, mismanagement, and unethical practices in local government. Individuals who disclose certain types of information in the public interest should be protected legally under the Protected Disclosures Act (Act 26 of 2000). This Act encourages and protected whistleblowers who expose misconduct, fraud, or other wrongdoing from individuals whom they have blown the whistle against. However, this study found that, at the local government level, whistleblowing was not properly managed. Despite the existence of legislation, whistleblowers were often vulnerable. Various Auditor-General reports have revealed that government is rife with corruption. As a result, this study sought to find relevant answer to the overarching research question: ‘How can whistleblowing contribute to enhancing accountability within local government in South Africa?’ This research question was supported by a qualitative literature review based on a desktop analysis. The study findings revealed that effective whistleblowing mechanisms, robust legal protections, and supportive organisational cultures are central to entrenching whistleblowing within local government. In conclusion, the research established that a strong and ethically based political will plays a central role in protecting whistleblowers, so that the levels of corruption could be curbed within local government.