The Team
THE OPERATIONS TEAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Ben Theron – Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Theron, a Certified Fraud Examiner, stands as a seasoned Operations Executive boasting three decades of invaluable experience. He has successfully attained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pretoria, which serves as a testament to his academic prowess. His professional journey has spanned various sectors, including telecommunications, electronic tolling, and forensic investigations.
Noteworthy accomplishments punctuate Ben’s career trajectory. Among these, he played a pivotal role in the conception and establishment of the Gauteng Freeway Tolling system. Furthermore, he orchestrated the strategic redirection of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), transforming it into a formidable force dedicated to combating corruption and advocating for change. An additional highlight encompasses his adept reengineering and repositioning of the Eskom Forensic Investigations Unit. Through his adept leadership, this unit effectively concluded intricate and vital investigations. This in turn facilitated the acceleration of civil and criminal cases by law enforcement entities, ultimately culminating in successful outcomes.
(+27) 064 524 0241
Cynthia Stimpel – Whistleblower Liaison Manager
Cynthia Stimpel has served as the Whistleblower Liaison Manager at The Whistleblower House since Feb 2022. She is a Motivational Speaker, sharing her journey as a whistleblower and advocating for positive change. Additionally, she works as a Yoga Instructor for both adults and children.
Cynthia is a Board Member of the National Committee – Defend our Democracy and volunteers her time at Accountability Now, Radio Veritas, and various community initiatives. She is also the author of “Hijackers on Board,” recounting her experiences at South African Airways (SAA). Cynthia holds an MBA as her highest qualification and has predominantly worked in Banking, Treasury, and Risk environments throughout her career.
During her tenure at SAA, where she served as Group Treasurer for the last two years, Cynthia received several notable awards, including the Citation on Integrity Award from the Air Pilots Association of South Africa (APLA-SA) in 2021, the BluePrint for Free Speech Special Recognition Award in 2022, and the Ahmed Kathrada Excellence in Leadership Award from the Congress of Business Economics in 2023. Additionally, in 2023, she was honoured with the Whistleblower Excellence Award and the Sherpa Award for her support of whistleblowers by The Public Interest of South Africa (PISA).
(+27) 064 524 0241
Tsholofelo Mahlangu – Whistleblower Liaison Assistant
Tsholofelo Mahlangu holds a BCom in Accounting and is currently studying for an LLB degree. With 9 years of experience in Human Resources, Payroll, and as a Senior Administration Manager, Tsholofelo brings valuable insight and skills to her role.
Tsholofelo has a deep admiration for supporting whistleblowers and recognises the critical importance of The Whistleblower House’s mission. Tsholofelo is honoured to be part of an organisation that stands by whistleblowers—individuals who demonstrate remarkable courage and uphold high ethical standards in their fight against corruption. She understands the immense personal risks whistleblowers face, including the potential loss of their jobs, families, and even their well-being. Tsholofelo believes it is essential for whistleblowers to know they are not alone and that there are resources available to support them through their courageous journey.
(+27) 064 524 0241
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Dr Liezl Groenewald – Board Chair
Dr Liezl Groenewald is the CEO of The Ethics Institute (TEI) based in South Africa, a past president of the Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa) and is a co-founding director of The Whistleblower House. She holds a Master and a Doctoral degree in Applied Ethics from the University of the Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch University respectively. She takes on the role of a seasoned facilitator for TEI, as well as for the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA). Additionally, she serves as guest lecturer at a business school in Innsbruck, Austria (MCI), as well as business schools in South Africa.
Liezl is a sought-after speaker at both local and international conferences. She contributes her insights as a media commentator on matters related to ethics and whistleblowing, and adeptly moderates discussions. Her expertise extends to being an author of articles on business and military ethics. Notably, she has authored a Whistleblowing Non-retaliation Toolkit, Whistleblowing First Responder Guide, along with the Whistleblowing Management Handbook. She has also co-authored the Ethics and Compliance Handbook, as well as the Institutionalising Ethics Handbook.
In terms of her affiliations, Liezl actively participates in several governing bodies and committees, e.g. the Council of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the King Committee on Good Governance and the SAICA Ethics Committee. She chairs the Governance of Ethics Committee of CPUT, the Social and Ethics Committee Forum of the IoDSA, and the Disciplinary Committee of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIASA). She furthermore served on working groups such as the global technical working groups for ISO 37000, the ISO Standard for the Governance of Organisations, as well as ISO 37002, the ISO Whistleblowing Management Standard.
Sibusiso Mtatase – Non-Executive Director
Sibusiso Mtatase is an accomplished Governance, Ethics, and Compliance professional with extensive experience across the higher education, financial services, and regulatory compliance sectors. He currently heads up the Ethics and Compliance Function at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), where he leads the institution’s ethics and compliance framework, advises executive management and Council, and provides assurance on governance, regulatory adherence, and ethical culture.
With a strong legal foundation, Sibusiso holds an LLB and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate Finance and Governance Law and is a Certified Ethics Officer. His professional expertise spans corporate governance, ethics management, regulatory compliance, risk management, and data protection, including POPIA and GDPR. He has previously held senior compliance roles at leading institutions such as Nedbank, Old Mutual, Thomson Reuters, and Barclays Africa Group, where he worked extensively in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, sanctions compliance, and regulatory risk.
Sibusiso brings significant board-level experience, currently serving as a Non-Executive Director of Khululeka Grief Support, where he provides strategic oversight on governance and ethics matters. His appointment to the Board of The Whistleblower House reflects his deep commitment to ethical leadership, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers as a cornerstone of good governance and democratic integrity.
He is an active member of the Compliance Institute of Southern Africa, The Ethics Institute, and the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), and is committed to advancing ethical governance practices that strengthen institutional trust, transparency, and public confidence.
Dr Jerry Chetty – Non-Executive Director
Dr Jerry Chetty is the Head of Business Integrity Unit at Santam and is responsible for managing forensics, ethics, intelligence and business integrity risk management. He is a distinguished speaker renowned for his expertise in the field of forensics and ethics within the Short-Term Insurance Industry. Dr Chetty has spoken at several conferences both locally and internationally.
Dr. Chetty has established himself as an authority in the field of insurance crime, which includes prevention, detection, investigation, remediation and the prosecution thereof.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Dr Chetty holds a Ph.D in Criminology where the focus of his study centred around Tolerance for Insurance Crime. This study was one of the first of its kind undertaken in Africa.
- Dr Chetty is the Chairperson of the Institute for Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP), a professional body for Forensic Practitioners.
- Dr Chetty is an Admitted Advocate of the High Court in South Africa.
- Prof Chetty is a Honorary Professor at Unisa’s College of Law.
AREA OF EXPERTISE
- Forensics, Ethics, Intelligence, Awareness, Training, Legal
- Dr Chetty believes that information sharing is a critical component in solving complex problems by harnessing and interpreting data correctly.
- Dr Chetty is reinventing and reorganizing the next generation of forensic investigators.
Martha Ngoye – Non-Executive Director
Martha Ngoye is a distinguished attorney registered with the High Court of South Africa, having garnered experience in the realm of corporate law. She boasts an impressive career history, having contributed her expertise to esteemed firms like Edward Nathan and Friedland, considered among South Africa’s most esteemed legal entities. Martha’s path as a trailblazer is evident in her response to the summons of corporate giants; she ventured into pivotal roles at Standard Bank and Barclays, institutions that were pivotal in a turbulent era marked by the hesitancy of major white law firms to fully embrace women, particularly those of black ethnicity.
Embracing a sense of patriotic duty, Martha transitioned her efforts towards the enhancement of the civil service. Her journey led her to Transnet, a government-owned enterprise responsible for freight rail and shipping infrastructure in South Africa. Subsequently, she took on a significant role within the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). Within this role, Martha is unrelenting in her tireless combat against the pervasive tide of corruption. She stands resolute on the frontlines, confronting corruption in its multifarious manifestations, including individuals occupying official positions, ministers, and the unseen specters that often accompany them.
Martha’s unwavering commitment to corporate governance is deeply ingrained in her being. During her tenure as Group Executive for Legal, Risk, and Compliance, and her subsequent role as Acting Chief Executive at PRASA, she found herself embroiled in a valiant battle against unlawful contracts that government officials sought to exploit to the detriment of South African people. This courageous stance came at a personal cost, subjecting her to considerable adversity and victimisation. Nonetheless, Martha persists in her battle against these challenges, displaying an unyielding spirit that resonates to this very day.
Mirriam Phumla Williams – Non-Executive Director
Phumla Williams has dedicated 27 years to the Public Service, serving as a senior manager in public finance and government communication. In her final decade within the public service, she held the positions of Cabinet and government spokesperson, concurrently serving as the Accounting Officer of the Department. Ms. Williams retired in December 2022.
Before entering government service, her professional journey unfolded in the ANC political unit during her exile in Mozambique and Swaziland. Her primary focus areas involved mass mobilisation and collaboration with mass-based community organisations. Following the unbanning of the African National Congress, she transitioned to the ANC Organising Department and later to the Department of Information and Publicity (DIP).
Ms. Williams holds a degree in Public Administration and a master’s degree in public administration, both earned from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Additionally, she possesses a Certificate in Public Sector Finance from the University of Stellenbosch. With a deep commitment to public service excellence, Ms. Williams is passionate about engaging with the citizens of her country.
ADV MABONGI MASILO – NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Adv Mabongi Masilo (“Mabongi”) is an accomplished legal professional with a diverse background in tax, customs, and corporate law. She has dedicated her career to making a significant impact in the legal landscape of South Africa. Mabongi pursued her higher education at the University of Kwazulu-Natal ( Durban-Westville) where she obtained her BA (Arts) and LLB degrees and the University of Pretoria, where she completed various short courses in financial management for SARS.
Mabongi’s journey in law commenced with her admission as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2001. She later extended her legal expertise by becoming an advocate of the High Court, a milestone achieved in April 2016. Her professional journey spans a rich tapestry of experiences, including serving as a legal advisor for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for over 14 years, where she handled intricate tax matters and provided strategic counsel on litigation. She was later appointed as Assistant Commissioner for the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS, a role where she played a pivotal role in shaping policy and governance structures.
In addition to her tenure at SARS, Mabongi has been a practicing advocate at the Pretoria Bar since October 2016, specialising in tax and customs law. She has also demonstrated her leadership capabilities by her involvement in various Thuma Mina campaigns established by the President, aimed at making South Africa a better place. Mabongi’s commitment to legal excellence is underscored by her educational pursuits, professional achievements, and unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law. Outside of her legal endeavours, she enjoys reading, traveling, and staying informed about global business trends. Driven by her passion for law and a vision for a better future, Christina continues to make meaningful contributions to the legal profession and the broader community in South Africa.
Siqhamo Yamkela Ntola – Non-Executive Director
Yamkela Siqhamo Ntola serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Public, Constitutional, and International Law at the College of Law, University of South Africa (UNISA). In this role, Yamkela imparts knowledge on environmental and international law to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Before joining UNISA, Yamkela held the position of Water and Environment Portfolio Manager at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). In this capacity, Yamkela played a pivotal role in exposing instances of over-expenditure and under-delivery within the Department of Water and Sanitation’s ‘Bucket Eradication Programme.’
Furthermore, Yamkela successfully advocated for the prosecution of directors of Aurora Empowerment Systems due to environmental damage resulting from acid mine water in their Grootvlei Gold Mine. Additionally, Yamkela contributed to oral and written submissions for the South African Human Rights Commission’s Inquiry into the Sewage Problem in the Vaal River.
Yamkela is a holder of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Nelson Mandela University. He has also earned a Master of Philosophy degree specialising in Sustainable Mineral Resource Development from the University of Cape Town (2023) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree at the University of Pretoria.
FULL TEAM
