PG Matanda-Moyo urges urgent whistleblower protect...

PG Matanda-Moyo urges urgent whistleblower protection law as corruption concerns grow

ZimNow News Desk

Zimbabwe’s Prosecutor General, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, has issued a call for the immediate enactment of the long-delayed Whistleblower Protection Act, warning that fear and intimidation are silencing witnesses in critical corruption cases.

Speaking at the Integrity and Accountability Summit hosted by Transparency International Zimbabwe this Wednesday, Justice Matanda-Moyo said the country’s anti-corruption drive is being undermined by the lack of legal safeguards for those who come forward with information.

Her remarks were echoed by Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairperson Jessie Majome, who emphasized the need for fairness and justice in public administration.

“Before it’s a crime scene, it’s already a crying scene,” said Majome, stressing the emotional and systemic toll of unchecked corruption.

Zimbabwe currently lacks a dedicated whistleblower protection law, leaving informants vulnerable to reprisals and discouraging critical disclosures. A draft bill has long been on the cards but has yet to reach Parliament.

Meanwhile, Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Zimbabwe 157 out of 180 countries, with public procurement, mining, and land allocations among the most corruption-prone sectors.

Despite multiple anti-graft agencies, including the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, conviction rates remain low, with many high-profile and politically exposed individuals apparently getting away with it.

Many voices are on record saying fear of victimization has created a culture of silence, making whistleblower protection not just a legal issue but a national urgency.

The Integrity and Accountability Summit spotlighted the urgent need for reforms that go beyond rhetoric, starting with legal guarantees for those who take agency to speak out.