Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening accountability, transparency and integrity in public institutions, with the gazetting of the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill, 2026, marking a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption reform agenda.
The Bill, which is now awaiting debate in Parliament, is expected to provide legal protection for individuals who report corruption and other forms of wrongdoing in the public interest, while reinforcing ethical conduct across both the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the Integrity and Accountability Summit organised by Transparency International Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Nobert Mazungunye said the legislation fulfilled one of the Government’s commitments at last year’s summit.
“One of the commitments I made during last year’s summit concerned the strengthening of Zimbabwe’s legislative framework for protecting whistleblowers,” said Deputy Minister Mazungunye.
“I am pleased to report that the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill, 2026, has now been gazetted and is awaiting the legislative process in Parliament.
“The Bill is the product of an inclusive consultative process and, once enacted, will strengthen and protect individuals who disclose corruption and other forms of wrongdoing that are in the public interest, thereby encouraging ethical conduct throughout our institutions.”
Deputy Minister Mazungunye said Government is steadily moving beyond policy commitments towards practical implementation through legal reforms, institutional strengthening and digital transformation.
“The true measure of good governance is not found in the number of policies we adopt, institutions we establish or strategies we formulate,” he said.
“Rather, it is measured by implementation, tangible results and the confidence placed in public institutions by citizens.”
He said the reforms are being implemented within the framework of National Development Strategy 2 and are critical to achieving Vision 2030.
Deputy Minister Mazungunye said accountability is strengthened when oversight institutions are empowered and citizens actively participate in governance.
He identified Parliament, the Office of the Auditor-General, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Prosecuting Authority and other constitutional bodies as key institutions safeguarding the prudent management of public resources.
However, Deputy Minister Mazungunye said combating corruption requires a whole-of-society approach involving Government, civil society, the private sector and citizens.
On international cooperation, Deputy Minister Mazungunye said Zimbabwe remains committed to implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the African union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and the SADC Protocol against Corruption.
He said Government is strengthening cooperation in mutual legal assistance, extradition, information sharing and asset recovery to combat increasingly sophisticated transnational corruption.
“Every asset successfully recovered represents resources that can be redirected towards schools, hospitals, roads, water infrastructure and other essential public services that directly benefit our citizens,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mazungunye said while progress has been made, strengthening accountability systems is an ongoing process, adding that Government would continue to reinforce legislative and institutional frameworks that promote transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
