THE United Nations (UN) Zimbabwe country representative, Ms. Maria Ribeiro’s has on called government and all organisations dealing with corruption to ensure the safety and protection of whistle blowers so as to encourage the culture of reporting corruption in the country.
By Michael Gwarisa
Speaking at the opening event of a two day National Workshop on Whistleblower protection in Harare, Ms Ribeiro said whistleblowers play a pivotal in the exposing of corrupt activities in the public and private sector.
We all need to acknowledge that information about acts of corruption comes to the fore when a whistleblowing system is designed to encourage more reports from citizens and officials in public and private sectors. Key to such a system is the effective protection mechanism that is embedded on the system. There will be more reports of corruption if whistle-blowers know and trust that they will be protected from retaliation, reprisal, and victimization,”said Ms Ribeiro.
She added that international instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption acknowledge the importance of having whistleblower protection laws in place as part of an effective anti-corruption framework.
“Many countries are beginning to have such legislation in place. Legislation is an important aspect, especially if it contains key elements that are essential for whistleblower protection. Indeed, The Government of Zimbabwe requires to have such legislation. I believe this event was primarily organized to kickstart such process.
"Whistleblower protection is absolutely required to safeguard the public interest and to promote a culture of public accountability and integrity. The risk of corru- ption is significantly heightened in environments where the reporting of wrongdoing is not supported or protected."
Meanwhile, the Government of Zimbabwe recently adopted the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which amongst other issues, requires Government to develop legislation on whistle-blower protection.
“I am more encouraged that under your leadership, we are today gathered here to witness the process that seeks to crystalize the aspirations of this Strategy. International instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption acknowledge the importance of having whistleblower protection laws in place as part of an effective anti-corruption framework.
