Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
LAST week, the Cabinet, chaired by President Mnangagwa, approved the Whistleblowers and Witness Protection Bill to protect whistle-blowers and witnesses in the fight against corruption.
The 35th Post Cabinet Briefing, delivered by Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere announced that the Bill establishes a framework allowing whistle-blowers to report activities harmful to the public interest without facing threats or harm.
“It also provides for the establishment of a Witness Protection Unit under the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), along with a Witness Protection Appeal Tribunal,” Dr Muswere said.
The Minister said the Bill will soon be forwarded to Parliament for further scrutiny and debate.
This development is deeply significant because until now, the country lacked robust legal protection for individuals who expose corruption or testify in corruption-related prosecutions.
Earlier in September, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Mr Michael Reza noted that the country needed such legislation to protect whistle-blowers and witnesses.
“Legislation on whistle‑blower and witness protection is a critical missing piece in our anti‑corruption framework. When promulgated, it will indeed provide comprehensive legal safeguards for individuals who report corruption and other wrongdoing,” Mr Reza said.
That gap has, in effect, discouraged many courageous potential whistle-blowers from coming forward, for fear of reprisals.
With the Bill now approved, there is hope for a transformative shift. Citizens, civil servants, private-sector employees, and ordinary Zimbabweans will finally have the legal protection they need to expose corrupt practices without fear.
The urgency of this Bill becomes clear when one examines recent data on corruption cases in Zimbabwe.
According to ZACC’s first-quarter 2025 report, the Commission handled 183 corruption-related cases between January and March, of which 158 (about 86%) originated in Harare, making the capital the epicentre of corruption complaints.
Furthermore, statistics from 2024 indicate that NPAZ received 314 corruption-related dockets from ZACC. This underscores the scale of graft being flagged by anti-graft agencies.
Meanwhile, ZACC’s own 2024 Annual Report recorded a 74% conviction rate for cases that went to full trial, a modest but important indicator that when cases are properly investigated and pursued, courts are prepared to deliver justice.
The uneven geographic distribution of complaints, with Harare dominating, while provinces like Bulawayo and Masvingo record fewer, suggests that in many areas the problem is under-reported, possibly because of a lack of awareness or fear of retaliation.
These patterns reinforce the argument that without effective whistle-blower protection, many cases of corruption will remain hidden, even when the will to fight graft exists. The new Bill, therefore, will address a structural deficiency in Zimbabwe’s anti‑corruption architecture.
The approval of the Bill also aligns with repeated public declarations by President Mnangagwa that corruption will no longer be tolerated under his administration.
In September 2025 at the 387th session of the Zanu PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa issued a strong warning against corruption.
“Corruption of any kind and excesses that alienate us from the people can never be condoned. Integrity, discipline, and unity, concern for the people, and clean governance must be synonymous with Zanu PF,” President Mnangagwa said.
Earlier statements add to the legal-policy momentum.
At a 2024 Local Government Association Indaba, President Mnangagwa warned corrupt local authorities.
“Those perpetrating such acts must face the full wrath of our country’s law. No one, including local authorities, will be spared,” President Mnangagwa said.
The proposed legislation addresses fear, which has been the core constraint to reporting. Many potential whistle-blowers hesitate to come forward because of fear of reprisals, including loss of jobs, harassment, threats, or worse.
The Bill’s guarantee of legal protection and anonymity can encourage more citizens to speak out. Increased reporting will likely unearth hidden corruption that currently goes unnoticed.
The establishment of a dedicated Witness Protection Unit and an Appeal Tribunal under NPAZ closes a structural gap. Currently, even when investigations are done, weak witness protection can derail prosecutions. With adequate protection, convictions can become more probable, making anti‑corruption enforcement more effective.
It will also improve public trust and civic engagement. When citizens see that whistle-blowers are protected, public trust in institutions will grow. This, in turn, can encourage communities and civil society to actively support anti‑corruption efforts, making corruption not only a legal problem but a societal taboo.
This will also deter future corrupt behaviour. Knowledge that colleagues can safely report wrongdoing, combined with a demonstrated commitment from top leadership, may reduce the incidence of corruption, especially in high-risk sectors.
However, the proposed legislation’s long-term success will depend on several factors being addressed.
The Witness Protection Unit must be properly resourced and independent. Cases reported by whistle-blowers must be rigorously and thoroughly investigated.
Courts must handle those cases transparently, fairly, and expeditiously, addressing the backlog and ensuring timely justice.
Public awareness campaigns must be launched to inform citizens about how to blow the whistle and what protections they are guaranteed. Protections must also cover lower-level whistle-blowers, not just high-profile ones.
Therefore, the Whistleblowers Bill is more than just a legal instrument. It is a structural reform that can, if implemented sincerely, strengthen every link in the anti-graft chain – from reporting, investigation, prosecution, conviction, and deterrence. – @muponderichard
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