Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Whistle Blower and Witness Protection Bill which seeks to protect individuals that give out information regarding illicit activities within organisations is set to be tabled in the National Assembly in August.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing of individual and corporate integrity pledge by the Attorney General Board and Management in Harare this Monday, Attorney General Mrs Virginia Mabhiza outlined the scope of the impending Whistle Blower and Witness Protection Bill.
“We are pledging that we will abide by the principles of our office that promote transparency, accountability, and all other positives that are against corruption. We are going to draft, review, and subject the Bill to a lot of discussions with key stakeholders before we eventually take it to the cabinet committee on legislation, cabinet, and then to parliament.
“This is one of those Bills that are on the legislative agenda which was pronounced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a Bill that is supposed to be given priority for this 10th parliament, so it’s a Bill that we have given priority and it should be out not later than August 2025,” she said.
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson, Mr Michael Reza highlighted the importance of the Bill in the fight against corruption.
“As we strengthen this partnership, ZACC looks up to the office of the Attorney General for the formulation of strong anti-corruption laws. The Commission stands ready to provide experiential insights to be translated into legally sound legislative proposals.
“I am particularly pleased that the Attorney General’s office is playing a pivotal role in drafting the Bill. The legislation of whistle-blower and witness protection is a critical missing piece in our anti-corruption framework. When promulgated, it will indeed provide comprehensive legal safeguards for individuals who report corruption and other wrongdoing,” he said.
Among other provisions, the Bill seeks to protect individuals who give out information regarding unlawful activities occurring within organisations.
