ZIMHAWKS seeks to spread integrity in the workplace

Ephraim Munhuwei

The Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Hawks (ZIMHAWKS) are urging public institutions to recruit professionals registered with their respective professional trusts to promote integrity in the workplace.

ZIMHAWKS made this call during a capacity-building whistleblower training held in Gweru on August 5th and 6th, 2023. The training aimed to empower whistleblowers in public institutions with information to help them observe and investigate corruption.

Officials from Gokwe Town Council, Gweru City Council, the police force, and other public officials from various parts of the country, specifically Gweru, attended the training.

ZIMHAWKS Director Brighton Muzengeza, in an interview with CVZ, mentioned that this training marked the third one in the Midlands Province since 2018 when the organization was established.

“This training was the third in the Midlands Province since the introduction of ZIMHAWKS in 2018 and will be our tenth training nationwide. We have conducted three pieces of training in Midlands, two in Harare, one in Manicaland, one in Masvingo, and two in Matebeleland. Currently, we are on our way to train another group in Matebeleland.

“In line with President Emerson Mnangagwa’s vision 2030, we are intensifying efforts to combat corruption. Similar to the liberation struggle, we need volunteers from public professional entities to liberate Zimbabwe from corruption,” said Muzengeza.

Muzengeza emphasized that having professionals registered with their respective associations as whistleblowers would promote integrity, professionalism, and credibility within institutions.

“It is necessary and critical for all professionals within local authorities and public institutions to be members of anti-corruption whistleblowers. This promotes professional ethics, and in case of unethical behavior, they can be deregistered by their respective associations through court proceedings, with evidence provided by whistleblowers. Ultimately, this enhances professionalism, as required by Zimbabwe’s constitution,” stated the Hawks director.

Muzengeza noted that institutions with entrenched integrity experience lower levels of corruption. He emphasized the need to promote integrity in public institutions by involving whistleblowers across the country.

“While we have investigated numerous reported corruption cases, with some reaching a resolution, it would not be accurate to label Zimbabwe as a corrupt country. However, our institutions need strengthening, and this can be achieved by enacting whistleblowers’ protection legislation and implementing the Auditor General’s recommendations,” added Muzengeza.

Muzengeza highlighted that the corruption rate in Zimbabwe is not as high as in other countries. Nevertheless, there is a low volume of complaints from public institutions and low submission rates of required returns, exposing institutions to corruption risks without effective addressing mechanisms.