Speaking out against corruption can come at a devastating personal cost. Just ask former City of Johannesburg senior manager and whistleblower Sarika Lakraj-Naidoo. In an emotional interview with us a few days ago, she laid bare the price she’s paid for blowing the whistle — disciplinary hearings, former colleagues allegedly giving false testimony against her, and financial ruin after struggling to find work, despite ultimately being vindicated. Her story raises a critical question: when whistleblowers risk everything to expose wrongdoing, who protects them — and is there any real political will to support them? 

Guest: Dr Ugljesa Radulovic: senior postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg