Whistle Blowers’ Protection in Tanzania:

A Myth or a Reality

Abstract

The position of the whistle-blower is known to be a precarious one, with the whistleblower often either regarded as a hero or a reprehensible traitor. The risks associated with reporting of misconduct, fraud and corruption are far-moregreat, if persons reporting such misconducts are not supported or protected. In fact, those who report misconducts may be subject to retaliation, such as intimidation, harassment, dismissal or violence by their fellow colleagues or superiors. Various pieces of legislation have attempted to remedy their precarious position, especially within the employment relationship, and in which the whistle-blower more often than not has the most to lose. The protection offered to the whistleblower within the United Republic of Tanzania context, is embodied within the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Act, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as the “WWPA”).In examining the protection afforded to the whistle-blowing in Tanzania, it is concluded that the heavy price whistle-blowers pay is underscored by the fact that whistle-blowing legislation in Tanzania has been effected in order to regulate various aspects relating to whistle-blowing, such as, who would qualify as a whistle-blower, how the whistle is to be blown and ultimately, what types of protection the whistleblower is afforded.