Concerns About Press Freedom in Zimbabwe
A new incident is raising alarm bells about the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe.
Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist from Alpha Media Holdings, spent Monday night in police custody.
His arrest followed charges that he allegedly incited violence through his online broadcasts.
This case has sparked fresh debates about the challenges journalists face in the country.
The Charges Against Mhlanga
Mhlanga’s legal team has confirmed that he is set to appear in court today (Tuesday).
The charges against him stem from video broadcasts aired on HStv, a media platform owned by Alpha Media Holdings.
The videos featured war veteran Blessed Geza, who is now facing accusations of inciting violence by transmitting data messages.
Mhlanga’s Surrender to Authorities
Interestingly, Mhlanga voluntarily presented himself to the authorities.
According to his lawyer, Chris Mhike, Mhlanga showed up at the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Law and Order division at Harare Central Police Station on Monday morning.
He was charged under Section 164 of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Act for allegedly transmitting a data message that could incite violence or damage property.
His arrest follows weeks of scrutiny after covering press conferences held by Geza, who has been critical of the ruling party Zanu PF. Geza, a vocal member, has been calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down, as the party pushes for his third term.
A Growing Pattern of Attacks on Journalists
This arrest is part of a troubling pattern in Zimbabwe, where journalists frequently face legal action, intimidation, and harassment.
Mhlanga is not the first journalist to be targeted for their work.
Hopewell Chin’ono, an investigative journalist, has been arrested multiple times, including in 2020 when he exposed corruption in COVID-19 procurement deals.
He was accused of inciting public violence for supporting anti-government protests on social media.
Jeffrey Moyo, a reporter for The New York Times, was arrested in 2021 under accusations of violating immigration laws for allegedly helping foreign journalists obtain media credentials.
Another prominent journalist, Mduduzi Mathuthu, editor of ZimLive, was targeted in 2020 after reporting on government corruption.
Police raided his home, allegedly harassed his family, and forced him into hiding.
Growing Concerns About Press Freedom
Mhlanga’s arrest has further fueled concerns about the worsening state of press freedom in Zimbabwe.
Journalists in the country are often subjected to intimidation, harassment, and legal actions that threaten their ability to report freely.
Do you believe that journalists in Zimbabwe need better protection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!