Whistleblower Testimony | Johann van Loggerenberg’s Journey
My whistleblower story began in late 2009 and extended into 2010. At the time, I was a civil servant at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), overseeing several units tasked with combatting organised crime and corruption. I started noticing disturbing patterns, where organised crime groups, politicians, influential figures, law enforcement, state intelligence operatives, and businesses were aligning to advance their often criminal agendas. This was prevalent across the country, particularly involving now well-known individuals and groups like the Gupta family, cigarette barons, certain politicians, and special intelligence units.
I initially raised these concerns internally at SARS, presenting meticulously prepared files with supporting evidence. However, my disclosures went unheeded, and the individuals involved continued their activities unchecked. Due to the work of the units I managed, which directly confronted these syndicates, we faced escalating pushback. This ranged from subtle political pressure to outright threats, bribery attempts, and even plots to bomb our offices. It was a deeply frustrating time, as my warnings were repeatedly ignored.
By 2013 and early 2014, the pressure became unbearable. In February 2014, I accompanied the head of the institution to meet the then-President, where I handed over a protected disclosure with annexures. I believed he would intervene. However, we had misjudged the situation, as it later became evident that he was deeply involved in what was about to unfold at SARS.
The first attacks were led by corrupt state security and law enforcement operatives, who made false and defamatory allegations against me. This quickly escalated, and we were publicly humiliated through a vicious media campaign. Over time, others like Ivan Pillay, Yolisa Pikie, Pete Richer, Adrian Lackay, and former finance ministers Trevor Manuel and Pravin Gordhan, along with investigators in my units, were also targeted. We were relentlessly attacked in the media, unable to defend ourselves, culminating in what became known as the “rogue unit” propaganda campaign.
We were up against a powerful coalition of criminals, politicians, tax evaders, state intelligence operatives, and corrupt individuals within law enforcement. This eventually cost us our jobs. For years, we struggled to remain economically active. We were isolated, and few dared to associate with us as we were hunted by the State Capture network. Despite this, I continued to blow the whistle, providing evidence and records, but these were consistently ignored or disappeared.
Even though parliamentary oversight committees were fully aware of these matters, they too did nothing. Over time, some truth came to light, thanks to various commissions of inquiry into SARS and State Capture, as well as numerous court cases, including at the Constitutional Court level. However, the personal toll was immense. The psychological, emotional, and financial damage was profound, our careers ended, families were traumatised, and the harm inflicted is permanent.
The most disheartening aspect is that not a single person responsible has ever been held accountable. Many remain employed in government or continue to enjoy financial success, living as if nothing ever happened. This extends to professionals, legal practitioners, large companies, and pliant journalists who all played a role in the destruction of SARS and the careers of many dedicated individuals. Despite the public exposure of these nefarious deeds, those affected have never been asked to return and assist in restoring what was lost.
It is now 2024, and my offers to assist SARS, the SSA, IDAC, Hawks, NPA, and the Inspector-General of Intelligence remain on record, but I have yet to hear from them. The trauma caused by these events is still too overwhelming for me to fully articulate. While I continue to encourage whistleblowing, I must caution potential whistleblowers about the dangers they will undoubtedly face in a system that fails to protect them adequately. Sadly, I see no indication that parliament or the government is serious about modernising the legal framework to protect whistleblowers.
Once you blow the whistle, know that you’re on your own.
However, it’s important to note that The Whistleblower House can assist potential whistleblowers before they take that crucial step. By offering expert guidance and support, they help ensure that whistleblowers are better prepared and protected when navigating this challenging path.
Further insights into my experiences can be found here:
- Rogue: The inside story of SARS’s elite crime-busting unit
- Death and Taxes: How SARS made hitmen, drug dealers and tax dodgers
- Tobacco Wars: Inside the spy games and dirty tricks of southern Africa’s cigarette
- State Capture Commission – Hearings
- Parliamentary Monitoring Group Report
- National Assembly Section 194 Enquiry Final Report
- Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector Including Organs of State: Volume 1, Report Volume III, Final Report and Volume 5, Report Volume 5 Part 1 Final Report
- Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Governance and Administration at the South African Revenue Service: Interim and Final Report
Johann van Loggerenberg