“The rate of corruption in Zimbabwe is increasing at an alarming rate, largely due to insufficient protection for whistleblowers,” said Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda-Moyo. She revealed that the lack of strong legislation to safeguard those who expose corruption is allowing the practice to flourish.
Anti-corruption watchdogs have lamented the absence of essential laws to protect individuals willing to testify against powerful, corrupt figures. This gap leaves whistleblowers vulnerable and silenced, allowing corruption to spread unchecked.
High-profile corruption cases have dominated national conversations, sparking public outrage. Among the most notable is the $40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission scandal involving businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Additionally, the $87 million goats tender case led to the arrests of businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe. These cases have been widely discussed across various platforms since last month.
As Zimbabwe struggles with the consequences of corruption, public demand for accountability and reform is intensifying. Matanda-Moyo emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue in her statement during the 8th Africa Anti-Corruption Day last week. She highlighted that the current pace of corruption outstrips the progress of the Whistleblower Protection Bill, hampering effective prosecution of corruption cases in the absence of witnesses.
“Corruption can only be effectively combated with mechanisms to protect whistleblowers,” Matanda-Moyo said. “In court, we need witnesses and whistleblowers to prove corruption. For thorough investigations, whistleblowers must provide the initial information. This makes it easier for the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute corruption cases.”
Matanda-Moyo stressed the need for Zimbabwe to implement whistleblower protection measures swiftly. “I am pleased that we have begun this process, but we must accelerate our efforts because corruption is advancing faster than the Bill,” she said. She urged the government to expedite the enactment of laws to protect witnesses, enabling law enforcement to tackle corruption more effectively, which she said has “destroyed the country.”
Zimbabwe’s performance in combating corruption has been poor over the past three years. The country scored 24 out of 100 on the 2023 Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, below the regional average of 33.
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson Michael Reza echoed Matanda-Moyo’s concerns, highlighting the challenges faced by the anti-corruption body without a law to protect whistleblowers. “As Zacc, we rely on information from whistleblowers,” Reza stated. “That’s why our theme this year is protecting whistleblowers. Without them, investigations may not happen.”
Reza emphasized the critical relationship between whistleblowers and the fight against corruption. “It’s like fish and water; fish cannot exist outside water. Similarly, we need to protect our source of information,” he said.
Anti-corruption watchdogs have pointed to a lack of political will in enacting whistleblower protection laws. Since 2021, stakeholders in the fight against corruption have urged the government to expedite the creation and implementation of such legislation. This delay has hindered the efforts of those committed to rooting out corruption.
The push for whistleblower protection is not only about enacting legal reforms, but also about sparking a cultural shift within Zimbabwe. Safeguarding individuals who have the courage to speak out against corruption necessitates more than just laws; it requires a change in how society perceives and stands by whistleblowers. Without this transformation, anti-corruption measures may lack depth and effectiveness.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Corruption undermines economic development, erodes public trust, and weakens institutions. As Zimbabweans continue to demand accountability, the need for swift legislative action and broader societal support for whistleblowers becomes ever more pressing.
Tackling corruption in Zimbabwe hinges on protecting whistleblowers. As the country grapples with high-profile scandals and public outcry, the government’s commitment to enacting and enforcing whistleblower protection laws will be crucial. Zimbabwe can only hope to curb the rampant corruption that threatens its progress and stability through comprehensive and swift action.
Source: Newsday
