Whistle-blower describes threats and financial hardship after reporting fleet irregularities - IOL

FOR whistleblower Sarika Lakraj-Naidoo, reporting alleged corruption at the City of Johannesburg came at a devastating personal and professional cost. 

She could no longer find work, got rid of most of her belongings, and had to sell her wedding rings to take care of her family. To add to this, she was shot at.

“I suffered the consequences for doing the right thing,” Lakraj-Naidoo told the POST in an interview this week. 

The city's former chief financial officer, who recently featured in a segment of the investigative journalism television series Carte Blanche, said she lost her job, livelihood and sense of security after raising concerns about alleged irregularities involving the municipality's multi-billion-rand vehicle fleet, including Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) vehicles and fire trucks.

Lakraj-Naidoo, 56, formerly from Sea Cow Lake in Durban, is now desperately seeking employment.

She said her experience had left her questioning whether whistleblowers were adequately protected in South Africa.

“It's not worth being a whistleblower in the current South African climate. No NPO or NGO or organisation fighting corruption that I went to for help was willing to help. I even sought help for funds to pay for medication for my son and I was turned away,” she said.

Lakraj-Naidoo worked for the City of Johannesburg for 15 years before she was dismissed in June 2023 following disciplinary proceedings. She had faced allegations including gross misconduct, dishonesty, harassment, intimidation and bullying.

She disputed the allegations and said she was punished for exposing wrongdoing.

Lakraj-Naidoo said she first became concerned about the city's vehicle expenditure in 2019 while preparing a report on the public safety department for the mayor.

She said she reported the alleged irregularities to the Gauteng Forensic and Investigative Services (GFIS) and to the Hawks.

"No matter where I went in terms of reporting this, I failed because of the calibre of candidates that occupied those positions.

"I was dismissed after 15 years of service. I was labelled a bully and a racist,” said Lakraj-Naidoo. 

She said the arbitration process ultimately vindicated her on significant aspects of the disciplinary case.

According to Lakraj-Naidoo, she was awarded compensation equivalent to 10 months' remuneration, although she was not reinstated.

"I was dismissed for doing the right thing. My arbitration award calls all the charges vexatious and frivolous. The arbitrator wrote that I have an unblemished disciplinary record.” 

Lakraj-Naidoo became a widow in 2018 when her husband, Trevor, passed away in a hijacking incident.

She said that for reporting alleged wrongdoing, she faced threats.

"I was once shot at and had to abandon my vehicle and run. Pictures were taken outside my house and they tried to gain entry into a complex that I used to live in. They tried to get my child out of school. I didn't know if I would live or die and that caused tremendous trauma, not just to me, but to my family. I feared that there was someone out there with a bullet with my name on it.

"Even now I am hypervigilant. We don't go out shopping like normal people. I can't go to normal places. For many years I couldn't visit family because everyone was afraid to be associated with me because they knew their security would be compromised because of me. I am still trying to find my place of peace.” 

Lakraj-Naidoo said the worst part was not being able to get new employment.

She subsequently established Wild Horses Advisory and Consulting Services, but said securing work had been difficult.

"I lost my job and survive day by day and nobody wants to employ me. I sold my wedding rings. I don't own a car and got rid of everything to put food on the table. I had to downgrade my lifestyle. My family, my son, my dad have suffered trauma and major health issues as a result of the stress this caused for everyone.

"Private and government entities will not employ me. It's as if I am a bad person who does not know what she is doing; therefore, I was dismissed, yet I was vindicated. I suffered the consequences for doing the right thing. I hold a Master’s degree in business administration. I was busy with my PhD, but I cannot finalise it now because I can't pay the fees. All I am asking for is work to take care of my son and my parents.”

Pops Rampersad, an executive member of the Active Citizens Movement (ACM), a civil society organisation, said Lakraj-Naidoo’s case highlighted the brutal reality for whistleblowers in South Africa.

"They fear for their lives, lose their jobs, and are discredited for doing the right thing. She was vindicated by the Bargaining Council but was left unemployable and abandoned. 

“We saw the same retaliation in November 2025 when City Power employee Stephanus Fourie was fired for blowing the whistle on the alleged irregular R1 billion privatisation plan.

"Without urgent reform of whistleblower legislation, honest officials will continue to be punished while corruption festers," said Rampersad.

Yashica Padia, an ACM exco member, said whistleblowers were courageous and stood up to speak out not just for themselves, but for society generally.

"Yet, the pain and suffering they experience as a result, impacts not just the whistleblowers, but their families too. Thus, the importance of support for whistleblowers from everyone, their colleagues, government, the private sector and the public in general is of utmost importance," said Padia.