According to Corruption Watch, a significant number of the whistleblower complaints they receive come from people who work in local government. Numerous investigations by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and other law enforcement agencies prove this is true. But if you become aware of corruption in local government, how and where do you report it, to whom - which organisations - and what steps do you need to follow?

Our answers to these questions are divided into three parts:

Reporting corruption if you work for local government

If you become aware of corruption, it is your duty to report it. The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECA) requires people in “positions of authority” in the public and private sectors to report corruption and other crimes listed in the Act involving more than R100,000 to the police. If they don't, they will be guilty of a crime and subject to a fine or imprisonment.

We suggest the following steps for you to consider. Our advice is simple: choose the reporting channel according to what feels safer or more comfortable:

• Make sure that you have some evidence or strong grounds for suspicion before you report corruption. But it’s also not your job to be an investigator, so be careful how you go about gathering information.
• Report it to your supervisor or manager. If you do this, make sure you keep proof that you reported it, and follow up if you think nothing has been done.
• Check if there is an internal anti-corruption hotline or if there are other external organisations where you can report corruption. If there is, use it! But keep a record of the date and time of your call and who you spoke to.
• If you suspect that your manager may be involved, consult other colleagues you can trust or report it to HR or another department. You may also refer the entire matter to an external organisation or institution, such as Corruption Watch, Whistleblower House, PPLAAF, the SAPS, Hawks, Public Protector, etc.
• If you go to the media, make sure that you are prepared for the matter to be in the public space, as once the story is out there, you cannot retract it.

Remember: Choose the reporting channel according to what feels safer or more comfortable.

Reporting corruption if you are a service provider or contractor to the local government

If you are an organisation or company that is tendering to provide local government services, or if you have won a contract to provide services and you become aware of corruption, for example if you are offered a bribe, it is your legal duty to report it. The steps we outline above for local government employees also apply to you.

Reporting corruption if you are an ordinary citizen

As a resident of a community, you may discover corruption across a range of local government services. Just as if you were an employee, you have a duty to report it. However, there may be risks involved – sometimes very serious risks – so you need to proceed with care. These are some of the things you should consider:

• It’s important to make sure that you have some evidence or strong grounds for suspicion before you report corruption. But it’s also not your job to be an investigator, so be careful.
• There are a number of people you can go to:
  • Raise it within your community-based organisation and discuss how to make a complaint as an organisation rather than as an individual.
  • Find your local councillor here.
  • Contact the media here, who may be able to investigate your evidence further.
  • Inform the SAPS or your local Community Policing Forum.
  • You may be asked to give a statement, but remember you have a right to anonymity if you fear for your safety.

Contact an organisation, for example, Corruption Watch here, if you want further advice.

Thinking of blowing the whistle on corruption? Steps you should follow

In the Whistleblowing First Responders Guide, whistleblowing is defined as “the disclosure of information by an individual or individuals about a perceived wrongdoing in an organisation, or the risk thereof, to people or institutions the whistleblower believes will be able to act.”

When attempts to use official channels to report corruption have failed or you are afraid of using them because you think senior officials may be involved, you may need to consider becoming a whistleblower; that means going directly to the media or the police.

But whistleblowing sometimes involves risks. Depending on the seriousness of the crime and who is involved in it, it can lead to victimisation at work and even threats to your safety.

So, you must seek the support and legal advice that you need to escalate your report and to consult with organisations that can walk you through the process.

There are several trustworthy organisations that work to assist whistleblowers and help prepare effective reports about wrongdoing. There are also guidelines such as the Whistleblower Protection Guidebook here.

Contact one or more of them to get advice. Whatever you tell them will be treated confidentially:

• Whistleblower House
• The Organisation Opposing Tax Abuse (OUTA)
• The Corruption Watch whistleblower platform

When you report corruption, you may not always get the outcome we would hope for, but at least you have tried and done your duty. You have also contributed to exposing corruption and creating awareness. Well done!

The government has a list of anti-corruption hotlines here

• The Joburg City Council Anti-Fraud Hotline: 0800 002 587
• In Cape Town you can call 0800 32 31 30, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also email fraud.hotline@capetown.gov.za or CCT@thehotline.co.za.

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.