By Michelle Chifamba / Chantay Ruswa
Harare – Stakeholders at the National Anti-Corruption Indaba organized by Transparency International Zimbabwe, yesterday called for the immediate enactment of the Whistleblowers Act to protect whistleblowers and informers in the fight against corruption.
“We need to lobby for legislation that protects whistleblowers and informers because there will be no prosecution without whistleblowers,” said the National Prosecuting Authority in its report.
Chief Law Officer Clemence Chimbari from the National Prosecuting Authority emphasized the urgency, stating:
“Currently, Zimbabwe has no law that talks of the protection of witnesses when investigations are taking place… This piece of legislation (Whistleblowers Protection Act) should be implemented like ‘yesterday’ to help in the protection of sources.”
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Legal Manager Sphiwe Chafungamo highlighted the challenges faced in investigating corruption cases without whistleblower protection, saying:
“30% of cases that we investigate are from informers and whistleblowers, without protection they in some instances withdraw for fear of victimization.”
Parliament of Zimbabwe expressed its commitment to ensuring the Whistleblowers Protection Bill becomes law, encouraging people to speak out against corruption.
The National Anti-Corruption Indaba was held under the theme ‘Taking Stock of Anti-Corruption Efforts in Zimbabwe’, with participants from various government and civil society sectors, including the National Prosecuting Authority, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Parliament of Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Republic Police.
