ZIMBABWE Oral requests Two institutions displayed openness in allowing access to public information. The institutions were helpful and transparent. Four institutions displayed an average level of openness. The remaining institutions denied access to information and showed a high level of secrecy. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development responded well to an oral request for information. The Ministry of Psychomotor also responded well to oral requests for information. Despite ZIFA listing the mobile phone number of their media officer, the phone went unanswered following several calls made to the office. While the majority of the institutions evaluated had officials that were inquisitive and suspicious of the motives of the researcher, a few others proved that they are lacking in capacity and have no appreciation of the need to inform the public about their operations. The reluctance to identify themselves and the tendency to refer even trivial requests for information to a higher administrative office displayed a culture of fear within public institutions that prevented public officials from readily providing information. Even those who are designated as public relations officers tended to refer questions to a higher authority for clearance. It shows that these institutions are secretive and not forthcoming with information, making it very difficult for citizens to exercise their rights to access information held by public bodies. 123