The Realities of Anti-Corruption and Whistleblowing

Abstract

Despite the existence of anti-corruption whistleblowing laws, Zimbabwe’s public service has suffered from maladministration, corrupt politicians, “mediators” and businesses, malpractice and irregularities for a long time. This article, employing grounded theory within a qualitative research paradigm, discusses a study which draws on eight interviews and found that whistleblowers lack state protection because state institutions do not have the political will to protect them. These realities are associated with: 1) state organisation capacity and success, or lack of it, in whistleblower protection in the public sector; 2) the significance of legislative and regulatory measures that encourage citizens to become whistleblowers as a key deterrent against corruption; 3) the lack of operationalisation of whistleblower protection within public organisations; 4) the possibility of creative intervention strategies and tactics that would increase the role and success of whistleblowing initiatives and actions; and 5) future financial incentives in laws and regulations that could encourage whistleblowing.