Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
THE Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill (2026) has entered the public hearing stage, with Parliament beginning nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public views before the proposed legislation proceeds further through the law-making process.
The hearings, being jointly conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption, are scheduled for August 24 to 28 across the country.
The consultations are intended to allow citizens, organisations and other stakeholders to make oral or written submissions on the proposed law.
The Bill seeks to establish a legal framework for protecting whistle-blowers who disclose information about conduct that is harmful to the public interest, as well as witnesses whose cooperation is important to criminal investigations and prosecutions.
At its core, the proposed legislation is designed to encourage people to report corruption and other wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
It covers disclosures relating to corruption, bribery, fraud, abuse of office, misuse of public resources and violations of the law.
The Bill provides safeguards against reprisals and occupational detriment, while also requiring measures to protect the confidentiality and identities of whistle-blowers.
It seeks to protect people who make disclosures in good faith and extends the proposed framework to both public and private sectors.
The public hearings started on Monday at Chipadze Hall in Bindura, Wadzanai Hall in Shamva and Ngoni Hall in Norton.
Yesterday, Parliament took the public hearings to New Ambassador Hotel in Harare, Unit L Chitungwiza Hall, Kwekwe Theatre Hall and Mkoba in Gweru.
Today, the public hearings will be conducted at Dema Grounds in Seke, Mbuya Nehanda Hall, Marondera, Lupane Hall, Lupane and Ntabazinduna Hall, Umguaza.
Tomorrow, they will be at Beithall Sakubva, Mutare, Nyanyadzi Business Centre, Chimanimani, Gwanda Hall, Gwanda, and Heany Hall, Umzingwane.
On Friday, the hearings will be at Mucheke Hall, Masvingo, BSPZ Gutu, Bulawayo Small City Hall, and Lobengula Hall in Bulawayo.
