Andrew
Online Reporter
CABINET has approved principles of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle Blowers) Bill that is envisaged to protect those who lift the lid on corruption.
Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said: “Currently, Zimbabwe does not have specific legislation that provides for the protection of individuals that point out (‘whistle blow’) against illicit activities within organisations they are employed in.
“The gap is affecting the fight against corruption and exposing the whistle blowers to retaliation.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Bill will help safeguard good governance, transparency and accountability in the country.
“The Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle Blowers) Bill, 2022 will seek, among other provisions, to provide for: a) disclosure of conduct averse to public interest in the public and private sectors; b) protection of whistle blowers by prohibiting detrimental treatment of any whistle blower by reason of his or her whistle blowing; and c) a framework within which public interest disclosures shall be dealt with,” she said.
The enactment of the Bill will also be in line with international best practices as Zimbabwe is a signatory to several conventions aimed at combating the scourge of corruption within the public and private sector.
Some of the conventions include the SADC Protocol against Corruption; the African Union Convention on Prevention and Combating Corruption, and the United Nation Convention against Corruption.”
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu