Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
TRANSPARENCY International Zimbabwe (TI-Z) has welcomed the gazetting of the Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, 2026, describing it as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency and the fight against corruption.
The Bill, gazetted by the Government on May 22 this year, seeks to provide legal protection to whistleblowers and witnesses who expose corruption, fraud, abuse of office and misuse of public resources.
In a statement to mark World Whistleblower Day, commemorated on Tuesday, TI-Z said the proposed legislation acknowledges the critical role played by whistleblowers in promoting integrity in both the public and private sectors.
“TI-Z welcomes the progressive provisions contained in the Bill, including protection against reprisals and occupational detriment, confidentiality and protection of whistleblower identities, safeguards for individuals making disclosures in good faith, and application of the framework across both the public and private sectors,” read the statement.
The anti-corruption watchdog said the Bill also protects disclosures related to corruption, bribery, fraud, abuse of office, misuse of public resources and violations of the law.
TI-Z commended provisions providing for the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Unit and a Whistleblower Protection Programme and said the measures would help safeguard individuals who face threats as a result of reporting wrongdoing.
The organisation said the proposed law is consistent with regional and international anti-corruption instruments, including the African union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, both of which encourage member states to establish effective systems for protecting reporting persons.
However, TI-Z said there was still scope to strengthen the Bill before it becomes law.
The organisation called for greater independence and oversight of institutions responsible for receiving disclosures, protecting whistleblowers and handling complaints arising from retaliation.
It also urged lawmakers to include clear provisions for financial, legal and psychosocial support for whistleblowers who may suffer employment, social or other forms of harm after exposing corruption.
TI-Z further called for stronger measures to ensure timely investigations of disclosures, regular feedback to whistleblowers and accountability for delays in handling reported cases.
The organisation also advocated for clearer safeguards for disclosures made to journalists and civil society organisations where official reporting channels may be ineffective or compromised.
In addition, TI-Z said implementation of the law should take into account the specific risks faced by women and vulnerable groups, including gender-based intimidation, harassment and sextortion.
The organisation further recommended the introduction of appropriate incentives to encourage the reporting of major corruption cases and facilitate the recovery of public resources, while guarding against abuse of the system.
TI-Z urged citizens, civil society organisations, professional bodies, private sector players and public institutions to actively participate in the ongoing parliamentary consultations on the Bill.
The organisation said broad stakeholder engagement was essential to ensure that the final legislation provides meaningful protection to individuals who courageously report corruption and abuse of office.
Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Whistleblower Day amid growing calls for stronger mechanisms to protect those who expose corruption and wrongdoing in the public interest.
