By a Correspondent
Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z) has welcomed the gazetting of the Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, 2026, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening accountability, transparency, and the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is widely considered highly corrupt, consistently ranking among the most corrupt nations globally with the vice entrenched and permeating both public and private sectors.
Currently, Zimbabwe is ranked 157th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
Although political elites and their hangers-on are frequently associated with monstrous corruption, daily survival for ordinary citizens often requires that they pay bribes to access essential public services, such as healthcare, education, driver’s licenses, and basic policing.
Grand scale corruption in Zimbabwe has been exacerbated due to vulnerabilities that deter whistleblowers from exposing the vice.
In marking World Whistleblower Day which is commemorated annually on 23 June, TI-Z said the proposed legislation recognizes the vital role played by whistleblowers in exposing corruption, fraud, abuse of office, and the misuse of public resources.
In a statement, the anti-corruption watchdog said the Bill, gazetted by the Government on May 22, 2026, introduces important safeguards aimed at protecting individuals who report wrongdoing in the public interest.
“TI Z welcomes the gazetting of the Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, 2026 by the Government of Zimbabwe. The Bill represents an important milestone towards strengthening integrity, transparency, and accountability in Zimbabwe’s public and private sectors,” reads the statement.
Among the key provisions highlighted by TI-Z are protection against reprisals and occupational victimization, confidentiality of whistleblower identities, safeguards for individuals making disclosures in good faith, and coverage of both public and private sector institutions.
The organisation also commended the proposed establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Unit and a Whistleblower Protection Programme, saying the measures would help safeguard individuals who face threats after exposing corruption and other forms of misconduct.
“Protection for disclosures relating to corruption, bribery, fraud, abuse of office, misuse of public resources, and violations of the law is a significant advancement,” TI-Z noted.
However, the organisation said there is still room for improvement before the Bill becomes law.
It called for stronger independence and oversight mechanisms to ensure institutions responsible for receiving reports and handling retaliation complaints operate credibly and without interference.
TI-Z also urged lawmakers to include comprehensive financial, legal, and psychosocial support for whistleblowers who may suffer harm after reporting wrongdoing.
The organisation further recommended clearer safeguards for disclosures made to journalists and civil society organisations when official reporting channels are ineffective or compromised.
“Effective whistleblower protection legislation requires broad stakeholder engagement to ensure that those who speak out in the public interest are genuinely protected,” TI-Z said.
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Whistleblower Day, TI-Z has encouraged citizens, civil society organisations, professional bodies, private sector actors, and public institutions to actively participate in the ongoing parliamentary consultation process.
The organisation said it remains committed to supporting reforms that strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation while ensuring meaningful protection for those who courageously expose corruption and abuse.
