As the world commemorates World Whistleblower Day, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z) has issued an urgent call to the Government of Zimbabwe to prioritise the enactment of comprehensive whistleblower protection legislation, citing the growing risks faced by those who expose corruption.
In a press statement, TI-Z said Zimbabwe’s current legal environment leaves whistleblowers “dangerously unprotected,” despite multiple international and regional commitments made by the country.
These include Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Article 5 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), and the Southern African Development Community Protocol Against Corruption (SADCPAC), all of which encourage states to establish strong protections for whistleblowers.
TI-Z acknowledged Cabinet’s approval of legal principles for a Whistleblower Protection Bill, but warned that delays in finalising and passing the law are undermining the fight against corruption.
“We call on the Government of Zimbabwe and Parliament to accelerate the development of the Bill and pass a comprehensive, stand-alone whistleblower protection law that meets international standards and fully protects whistleblowers from all forms of retaliation,” the anti-corruption watchdog said.
The organisation further urged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to proactively advocate for whistleblower protections and ensure that safe and independent reporting mechanisms are made accessible to the public.
TI-Z’s statement follows a critical review of Zimbabwe’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2020–2024, which identified intimidation and retaliation against witnesses as key obstacles to its effectiveness.
According to TI-Z, fear of reprisal has discouraged many from reporting corruption, depriving authorities of vital evidence.
“Whistleblowers are vital to strengthening accountability, protecting public resources, and safeguarding the public’s right to know,” TI-Z said. “But without a secure legal framework, their bravery often comes at an unbearable cost.”
The organisation is calling on civil society, the media, and citizens to amplify pressure on authorities to enact legal reforms that will ensure whistleblower safety before, during, and after disclosure.
TI-Z said such protections should apply across the public, private, and civil society sectors, and align with Zimbabwe’s international obligations.
“A stand-alone whistleblower protection law is not just a legal necessity—it is a moral and democratic imperative that can break the culture of silence and impunity,” the statement concluded.
World Whistleblower Day is observed globally on 23 June to honour individuals who risk personal safety to expose wrongdoing and uphold transparency.