Staff Reporter
Harare—Local and international media and human rights watchdogs have condemned the arrest of senior Zimbabwean journalist, Blessed Mhlanga.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Monday, 24 February 2025, arrested and detained Mhlanga, a multi-media journalist and head of television at Alpha Media Holdings’ (AMH’s) Heart and Soul TV when he surrendered himself in Harare,
His surrender in the company of lawyer Chris Mhike followed a police statement last Friday that indicated that the law enforcer wanted to “interview” Mhlanga for allegedly contravening the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Armed security details had also reportedly hunted for Mhlanga before the police statement.
Yesterday, police at Harare Central Police Station charged the journalist with violating Section 136 of the statute for alleged “transmission of data message inciting violence or damage to property”.
He was detained overnight and is expected to appear in court today (Tuesday).
While details of the charge were not immediately available, Mhlanga has recently carried out several sensational interviews with individuals who are calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
These include a war veteran, Blessed Geza who is currently in hiding, a former journalist turned politician, Jealousy Mawarire and former ruling Zanu PF heavyweight who has been living in exile since Mnangagwa took over with military assistance, Saviour Kasukuwere.
The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) on Monday used a statement to rap Mhlanga’s arrest.
The MAZ is an umbrella body for non-state media organisations that include the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), the local chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe), Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ), Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), Media Monitors and Gender and Media Connect (GMC).
The alliance described the arrest as “an act of cowardice, unacceptable in a democracy that permits the practice of journalism as a constitutional right to free expression and as a professional enterprise of mirroring society in its diverse manifestation.”
“As a network of journalistic professional associations and media support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) calls for the release of Mhlanga and withdrawal of all charges that relate to his work as a journalist.
“Journalism is not a crime and should never be treated as such. The parameters of journalism are predetermined at law and within the professional standards and codes of conduct,” noted MAZ.
The MAZ urged anyone aggrieved by the media and journalists to approach VMCZ or the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) for redress,
“The move by the state security arm (police) to arrest Mhlanga…exposes insincerity to the commitment to engage media stakeholders on media freedom and the safety of journalists.
“Acts of criminalising journalism jeopardise the police and media action plan, which represents a commitment between media stakeholders and the police to guarantee a conducive working environment for the media,” added the alliance.
There is a standing agreement between the police and media to resolve their differences amicably and ensure journalists carry out their work freely.
Mhlanga’s arrest flies in the face of President Mnangagwa who recently held a press meeting with editors and committed himself to ensuring media freedom and sustainability.
His Information minister, Jenfan Muswere, made similar commitments at a subsequent seminar organised by ZUJ.
“MAZ calls on all journalists to stand in solidarity with Mhlanga on the pretext that an injury to one is an injury to all. We urge for unity of purpose across all media and for journalists to sustain to our vocation of truth telling without fear or favour,” added MAZ.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Southern Africa, Kanyo Farisè, also bemoaned Mhlanga’s arrest.
“Amnesty International condemns the arrest and detention of Blessed Mhlanga solely for peacefully exercising his human rights and carrying out his professional duties.
“Authorities must immediately release Blessed Mhlanga and drop all charges against him. Journalism is not a crime and media practitioners should be able to discharge their professional duties without fear of reprisals. This travesty of justice must stop,” said Farisè in a statement.
Added Farisè: “Authorities must stop misusing the criminal justice system to silence journalists and clamp down on the right to freedom of expression and independent media. A free, uncensored and unhindered press is essential to ensure the right to freedom of expression and other human rights.”