ACM vows to intensify fight for whistleblowers

THE lack of protection for whistleblowers is hot on the Active Citizen’s Movement’s agenda. This issue, and many other injustices, are what the organisation plans on tackling for the morals of civil society.

These were revealed at the inauguration of the group’s new chairperson, Pops Rampersad, who took up the position in October. He said it is disturbing that whistleblowers still have not received any support from the government.

“This is despite us demonstrating at the State Capture Commission in August, and again when the president appeared there for the second time. We handed a petition to the minister in the presidency and gave him a copy of the submission that we sent to the State Capture Commission.

“Three months later, and in-between, we had the death of PPE whistleblower, Babita Deokaran, who was murdered outside her home. There has been no further movement from the government regarding the support of whistleblowers,” he said.

He added that they are encouraged by the Deputy Minister of Justice, John Jeffery, who indicated that he is open to discussions with civil society organisations, to work together.

Rampersad takes on the helm from Ben Madokwe and Yashika Padia, the former chairperson and acting chairperson, respectively.

In his speech, he thanked both members for working tirelessly over the past two years to position ACM into the hearts and minds of peace-loving South Africans. He said in more than 40 years of activism, this is the first official role he has taken.

“I think it is a challenging position. I have big shoes to fill. I am, however, prepared to give it a bash,” he said.

He has been involved with the ACM as an executive member since its formation and launch in July 2017. The group started gaining media attention last year with its Orange Mask Campaign. This was launched nationally in partnership with other organisations, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

The aim of the campaign was to ‘make noise’ about corruption through protesting in various spaces each Friday. The colour orange, picked deliberately to match prison uniforms, was a way to bring those responsible to book.

“At any point in the province on Friday, we would have more than 10 locations where our members protested. Because of the stringent lockdown levels implemented, it prevented us from doing more of that,” he said.

In his tenure, Rampersad said he would need all hands of exco, ordinary members and supporters, on deck. He plans to increase membership, especially with the youth, and will focus on diversity. Their slogan is to organise, conscientise, mobilise and strategise.

“The political landscape in the next two years will be the most challenging. Many new councillors walked into almost bankrupt municipalities and the deployment of incompetent cadres is likely to continue. Where there is no clear majority in municipalities, coalitions may create instability. However, we are watching these councillors with more and bigger eyes,” he said.