WATCH: Matabeleland South gets Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill consultations

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the executive of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) today held public consultations on the Whistle-Blowers and Witness Protection Bill (2026) in Matabeleland South.

The consultations were held in Gwanda and Umzingwane districts as Parliament gathers public views on the proposed legislation before it proceeds further through the law-making process.

The nationwide consultations, which began on August 24, will run until August 28 and provide citizens, organisations and other stakeholders with an opportunity to make oral or written submissions on the Bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a legal framework for protecting whistle-blowers who disclose information about conduct that is harmful to the public interest, as well as witnesses whose cooperation is important to criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The Bill is aimed at encouraging members of the public to report corruption and other forms of wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

It covers disclosures relating to corruption, bribery, fraud, abuse of office, misuse of public resources and other violations of the law.

The proposed law provides safeguards against reprisals and occupational detriment, while also providing for measures to protect the confidentiality and identities of whistle-blowers.

It seeks to protect people who make disclosures in good faith and extends the proposed protection framework to both the public and private sectors.

The consultations are expected to help Parliament identify concerns, gaps and recommendations from members of the public before the Bill advances to the next stage of the legislative process.

@DubeMatutu