Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News
No Result
View All Result
News Report  Zimbabwe
No Result
View All Result
Home Crime and Courts

Victimising whistleblowers to attract 5-year jail term

June 23, 2024
0
Victimising whistleblowers to attract 5-year jail term

AS the Government ratchets up the fight against corruption, individuals who victimise whistleblowers that lift the lid on graft will soon face up to five years in prison or fines of up to US$1 000 under a law that is being drafted.

The Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill, designed to encourage individuals to report corruption, allows whistleblowers and their immediate family members to request State protection if they fear reprisals.

The envisaged legislation also prohibits investigating authorities, employers and any other individuals from taking any detrimental action against someone who makes a protected disclosure.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba told The Sunday Mail that the Bill was now awaiting finalisation by the Attorney-General’s Office before it is submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

“The purpose of this Bill is to facilitate disclosure of conduct adverse to the public interest in the public and private sectors, and to protect whistleblowers by prohibiting detrimental treatment of any whistle-blower by reason of his or her whistle-blowing,” said Mrs Nyemba.

“Any disclosure made in good faith to a person or an investigating authority in respect of which the reporting person reasonably believes it is true, and the information disclosed and any allegation contained in it are substantially true amounts to a protected disclosure.

“A person is not subject to any liability for making a protected disclosure in good faith and no action, claim or demand shall be taken or made of or against the person for making the disclosure.”

However, she said, any person who makes a frivolous and vexatious disclosure is not protected under the proposed law.

“A whistle-blower or his or her dependants may institute civil proceedings in respect of a detrimental action taken against them by a Government agency or an employer at any time within three years after the detrimental action is alleged to have been committed,” added Mrs Nyemba.

“Further, the Bill prohibits engaging in or attempting or conspiring to engage in an unlawful reprisal.

“Contravening the above, the perpetrator shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon conviction, if the offender is a natural person, to a fine not exceeding Level 13 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or both; or if the offender is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding Level 13.”

Level 13 fines are pegged at US$1 000 or the equivalent in ZiG.

She said corporates, the private and public sectors will be expected to develop reporting procedures that employees or agencies will use to disclose any suspected malpractices.

This, she added, may not be mandatory at law, but will be done by any entity in the name of good transparency practices.

“If public interest disclosure leads to the detection of a crime perpetrated by the whistleblower, the punishment of such person or persons may be mitigated or remitted.

“Where an employer takes disciplinary action against a whistleblower by reason of an offence or some misconduct by the whistleblower, discovered in the course of investigations that arise from the whistleblower’s disclosure, the employer is prohibited from taking action until such time that the investigations are completed.

“In the event that the employer pursues the case, the investigating officer shall request the employer to mitigate or remit the disciplinary action, and the employer, on receiving a request, shall comply with such request unless there is good reason for non-compliance.”

If a protected disclosure contains confidential work-related information, Mrs Nyemba said, the whistleblower shall be deemed not to have violated their professional confidentiality obligation.

“A whistleblower and his or her immediate family members may request protective measures for their personal or property safety from the investigating authority which is investigating or prosecuting due to the disclosure that has been made,” she said.

“The investigating authority must consider such request and if deemed necessary or where the whistleblower has faced or is likely to face serious danger, must request the Commissioner-General of Police or head of other security services to provide the necessary protection as may be required. These personal protective measures must be provided without undue delay.”

Experts say whistleblower protection laws help give people confidence to come forward and report corruption, fraud or other illegal activities without fear of losing their jobs or facing other forms of retaliation.

In South Africa, the Protected Disclosures Act of 2000 is considered one of the most advanced whistleblower protection laws in the world.

It protects employees in both the public and private sectors who disclose information about illegal or corrupt conduct.

The law also prohibits employers from taking any detrimental action against whistleblowers, such as firing them or demoting them.

It also allows whistleblowers to make disclosures anonymously.

Related Posts

Tragic Incident in Dema Village Under Investigation

Tragic Incident in Dema Village Under Investigation

by Nyathi
June 12, 2025
0

A heartbreaking incident is under investigation in Besa Village, Dema, where a mother and her two children were found dead...

Former Nssa Boss Acquitted of Fraud Charges

Former Nssa Boss Acquitted of Fraud Charges

by Nyathi
June 12, 2025
0

  In a shocking turn of events, former National Social Security Authority (Nssa) investment director Brian Murewa has been acquitted...

Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Death in Custody

Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Death in Custody

by Nyathi
June 12, 2025
0

  The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Constable Prince Ndavambi, who was wanted in connection with...

The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

by Nyathi
June 12, 2025
0

Meet William Chandler, a South African Airways pilot who pulled off an incredible deception. For two decades, he flew planes...

Charges Dropped, But Drama Continues

Charges Dropped, But Drama Continues

by Nyathi
June 11, 2025
0

In a shocking turn of events, the State has withdrawn fraud charges against Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, who were...

Zimbabwean Woman Wanted in Botswana for Murder

Zimbabwean Woman Wanted in Botswana for Murder

by Nyathi
June 11, 2025
0

  A manhunt has been launched in Botswana for a Zimbabwean woman, Fanes Manyewe, in connection with a murder case...

Please login to join discussion

Trending News Today

  • The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

    The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

    157 shares
    Share 63 Tweet 39
  • Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To Temba Mliswa

    315 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
  • Tragic Accident Claims Life of Young Man in Mbizo 7

    71 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • Tragic Incident in Dema Village Under Investigation

    70 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • Former Nssa Boss Acquitted of Fraud Charges

    64 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 16
  • Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Death in Custody

    50 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Fake Certificates Exposed-Two Student Nurses Under Investigation

    49 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 12
  • Mai Titi Warns Against Misuse of Her Content

    48 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
  • Drama at a Funeral: Speaking Ill of the Dead Doesn’t Pay

    171 shares
    Share 68 Tweet 43
  • Charges Dropped, But Drama Continues

    76 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19

Popular This Week

  • Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To  Temba  Mliswa

    Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To Temba Mliswa

    315 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    201 shares
    Share 80 Tweet 50
  • GOVERNMENT BANS DEADLY MUSOMBODHIYA BREW

    178 shares
    Share 71 Tweet 45
  • ZEP Holders Breathe a Sigh of Relief as SCA Rules in Their Favor

    177 shares
    Share 71 Tweet 44
  • Drama at a Funeral: Speaking Ill of the Dead Doesn’t Pay

    171 shares
    Share 68 Tweet 43
  • The Pilot Who Flew Under the Radar for 20 Years

    157 shares
    Share 63 Tweet 39
  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    236 shares
    Share 94 Tweet 59
  • Zimbabwean Woman Wanted in Botswana for Murder

    126 shares
    Share 50 Tweet 32
  • Police Officer Flees After Suspect’s Death

    110 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
  • Teyana Taylor Wins Big in Divorce Settlement

    107 shares
    Share 43 Tweet 27

Popular This Month

  • How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    How to Legally Avoid Paying the US$92 ZBC Radio Licence Fee in Zimbabwe

    611 shares
    Share 244 Tweet 153
  • Bulawayo Police Bust Vuzu Party, Arrest 13 Youths

    328 shares
    Share 131 Tweet 82
  • Unhealed Wounds-Remembering the 21 Mothers of Emkhonyeni Who Were Burnt Alive

    317 shares
    Share 127 Tweet 79
  • Susan Mutami’s Desperate Plea To Temba Mliswa

    315 shares
    Share 126 Tweet 79
  • Fatal Dog Attack Exposes Mike Mupinga’s Troubling Past

    284 shares
    Share 114 Tweet 71
  • Loophole or Legal Gymnastics? Zimbabwean Schools Find Ways Around Fee Payment Rule

    250 shares
    Share 100 Tweet 63
  • New ‘ lobola’ Fees for Foreigners Seeking Medical Care in Gauteng

    244 shares
    Share 98 Tweet 61
  • Widow Caught in Bed With Lover a Week After Burying Husband

    236 shares
    Share 94 Tweet 59
  • Philanthropy or Publicity Stunt? Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Gift to Jah Prayzah’s Team

    219 shares
    Share 88 Tweet 55
  • Two Zimbabwean Care Home Workers in the UK attacked, one killed

    201 shares
    Share 80 Tweet 50

Most Read Stories

  • “Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

    ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

    5241 shares
    Share 2096 Tweet 1310
  • Madzibaba gets Toyota Aqua after explaining new currency ZiG to church

    4534 shares
    Share 1814 Tweet 1134
  • Breaking News: Zimbabwe launches New Currency (Zig)

    4279 shares
    Share 1712 Tweet 1070
  • Guide : How to access 2023 Zimsec Ordinary O Level results online

    3973 shares
    Share 1589 Tweet 993
  • Uganda Police Officer Shoots Wife Dead After Mocking Him Over Man-U Loss

    3895 shares
    Share 1558 Tweet 974
  • Floods hit Gweru

    3594 shares
    Share 1438 Tweet 899
  • Mashura pa Gokwe musi wa 12.02.24

    3544 shares
    Share 1418 Tweet 886
  • Secret message for ED after his inauguration

    3482 shares
    Share 1393 Tweet 871
  • Heatwave Warning:Expect Extremely hot temp ranging from 36° to 41° until 12 March

    3394 shares
    Share 1358 Tweet 849
  • Here is the reckless Kombi Driver!!!!!!!!!!! See pics here

    3218 shares
    Share 1287 Tweet 805

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Home

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News that Matters
    • News
    • Health and Diseases
    • Technology
    • Religion
    • Horror and Disaster
    • Elections 2023
  • Crime and Courts
  • Celebrity
  • Sports
  • Mjolo
  • Breaking News