PROSECUTOR-GENERAL Loyce Matanda-Moyo has revealed that corruption is spreading faster and unchecked, fuelled by a lack of protection for whistleblowers who dare to speak out against the powerful and corrupt.
Anti-corruption watchdogs have bemoaned lack of necessary legislation that protects those who want to come forward to testify against corrupt bigwigs as they are left vulnerable and silent, allowing corruption to thrive.
Corruption has taken centre stage in the nation’s conversations, with high-profile cases making headlines and sparking outrage.
The US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission scandal, involving controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo and the US$87 million goats tender case, which led to the arrest of businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, have since last month been the subject of discussion on various platforms.
As the country grapples with the effects of corruption, demand for accountability and reform is growing louder among members of the public.
In a statement to commemorate the 8th Africa Anti-Corruption Day held last week, Matanda-Moyo said corruption was outpacing the Whistleblower Protection Bill as prosecutors could not effectively deal with corruption cases in the absence of witnesses.
“It is very true that corruption can be effectively fought with mechanisms in place to protect whistleblowers,” Matanda-Moyo said.
“In order for us in court to prove that corruption has happened, we require witnesses and whistleblowers.
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“So for investigations to be complete whistleblowers are the primary persons who must come up with that information which then leads to investigations once we have whistleblowers leading the investigation, it means that we have thoroughly investigated the cases which will then make it easier for the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute corruption cases.”
She said it was imperative that Zimbabwe put in place whistleblower protection mechanisms.
“I am happy that as a country we have started putting in place the mechanism but we must move fast because corruption is moving faster than the Bill,” Matanda-Moyo said.
She, however, implored the government to expedite the enactment of a law to protect witnesses for law enforcements agents to be able to tame corruption which she said had “destroyed the country.”
Zimbabwe has in the past three years been performing dismally in fighting graft, scoring 24 out of 100, below the regional average of 33 on the 2023 Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson Michael Reza has said the anti-corruption body is facing challenges in dealing with corruption cases in the absence of a law that protect whistleblowers.
“As Zacc we thrive on information that is given to us by whistleblowers,” Reza said.
“That is why this year we have that theme of protecting whistleblowers. Without whistleblowers, there may be no investigations.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between whistleblowers and the fight against corruption. It’s like fish and water. Fish cannot exist outside water therefore we need to protect our source of information.”
Anti-corruption watchdogs have cited a lack of political will in enacting the law that protects whistleblowers.
Since 2021, stakeholders in the fight against corruption have been calling for the expedition in the crafting and enactment of the whistleblower protection legislation.
