By A Correspondent
BREAKING: The ruling on journalist Blessed Mhlanga’s bail application has been postponed to 12 PM on Friday. Stand-in magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa informed the court that the original presiding magistrate, Farai Gwatima, was unable to attend due to a bereavement.
Mhlanga, who is facing charges under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, is accused of transmitting messages that incite violence. These charges are linked to his interviews with war veterans leader Blessed Geza and others. The police investigation stems from statements made during interviews on January 27, 2025, and February 11, 2025, where Geza, a former liberation war veteran and Zanu PF central committee member, allegedly made inflammatory comments.
Despite Mhlanga’s role as a journalist working within the bounds of legitimate reporting, he has been remanded in custody while awaiting the outcome of his bail application.
Mhlanga, a reporter for Alpha Media Holdings and HStv, has faced increasing harassment by State Security agents, particularly in connection with his interviews with political figures. The Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum (ZINEF) has raised alarms over Mhlanga’s arrest, condemning it as an attempt to intimidate and silence press freedom.
Mhlanga was interrogated by police on February 24, and Mhike, his legal representative, confirmed his detention and that he would appear in court the following day.
In addition, Geza, who is facing multiple charges including insulting the President, is currently a wanted fugitive. His wife, Roseline Tawengwa, has also been detained by the police, while the whereabouts of Geza remain unknown.
ZINEF strongly condemned Mhlanga’s arrest, emphasizing that his journalistic actions were in the public interest and within the scope of his constitutional rights. The forum argued that the arrest represents a dangerous precedent for press freedom, calling it a direct attack on journalists who are merely doing their jobs.
The forum called for Mhlanga’s immediate release, highlighting the importance of ensuring his safety while in custody and preventing any form of mistreatment. ZINEF reiterated its demand that the government respect the constitutional rights of journalists, as guaranteed under Section 61 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and media rights.
ZINEF further stressed that while freedom of expression does not extend to promoting violence or hate speech, Mhlanga’s work clearly falls within the bounds of legitimate journalism. The organization called for a safer environment for journalists in Zimbabwe, free from intimidation and harassment.
International organizations, including Amnesty International, have also voiced their condemnation of Mhlanga’s arrest. The human rights group criticized the Zimbabwean authorities for using the justice system to stifle media freedom, which they deem essential for a functioning democracy. Amnesty International called for Mhlanga’s immediate release and the dropping of all charges, reiterating that journalism is not a crime and media professionals should be free to work without fear of retaliation.
This case has raised further concerns about the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe, where journalists continue to face intimidation, harassment, and legal threats for their work. Both local and international organizations have expressed support for Mhlanga and called for a free and independent press, urging the government to cease efforts to silence dissenting voices in the media.