South Africa’s whistleblowers exposed lottery corruption but were denied payouts, receiving only limited support despite severe personal costs.

South Africa’s former National Lotteries Commission whistleblowers, including staff and non-staff members who exposed corruption, were denied financial compensation after a year-long reparations process. Despite facing threats, legal battles, and ruined livelihoods, non-staff whistleblowers learned only at the end they were ineligible due to strict public finance rules. The NLC offered psychological support, wellness services, education sponsorships, and grocery vouchers instead, citing legal risks and the need for constitutional compliance. Only one settlement has been finalized among 18 participants. Whistleblowers condemned the outcome as deceptive and inadequate, calling the support "pitiful" and vowing to challenge the decisions, while the NLC called the process groundbreaking, prioritizing healing and responsible fund use over payouts.