….Blessed Mhlanga Remanded to Thursday
By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare Zimbabwe – Veteran journalist Blessed Mhlanga appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday, February 25, 2025, charged with transmitting data messages intended to incite public violence.
He will spend a further two nights at Harare Remand Prison after being remanded in custody to Thursday, February 27, 2025 for bail hearing.
Mhlanga was arrested on Monday after handing himself over to the police following Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi’s public statement saying he was a wanted person.
The case, which unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions over press freedom in Zimbabwe, and countering efforts by media representative organisations to bridge the gap between state security arms and journalists, centers on videos broadcast by Alpha Media Holdings’ (AMH) Heart & Soul Television (HStv), featuring war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza.
Mhlanga’s arrest has sparked outrage among media advocates, with analysts decrying it as a state-orchestrated assault on journalism.
The proceedings took place before Harare Regional Magistrate, Farai Gwatima, with Prosecutor Ruvimbo Matyatya representing the state.
The trial took a dramatic turn as Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, grilled Central Investigation Department (CID) Counter Terrorism Unit Detective, Chief Inspector Josphat Chitamira, during cross-examination.
Mhike questioned the officer’s involvement in a journalism case, prompting the officer to claim that he was merely following administrative assignments.
When asked if he believed Mhlanga was a terrorist, the officer declined to answer, stating that, “belief has nothing to do with facts.” Pressed further, he admitted that he didn’t know if Mhlanga was a terrorist.
Mhike highlighted the inconsistency of deploying a counter-terrorism expert, with 26 years experience in service, to investigate a journalist, to which the officer responded that there was nothing wrong with the deployment.
The prosecution, led by Ruvimbo Matyatya, opposed bail citing concerns that Mhlanga was a flight risk and might interfere with witnesses who are his juniors at work.
The state also argued that he might commit similar offenses, as the equipment used to commit the crime had not been recovered.
However, Mhike countered that the state had failed to make a valid legal point against granting bail.
He emphasized that the charge against Mhlanga criminalized the practice of journalism.
The defense further framed the charges as an attack on constitutional rights.
“Journalism cannot be criminalized; that is his job,” Mhike said, invoking Sections 61 and 64 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and profession.
Mhike also argued that interviewing politicians did not make one a politician, and that silencing journalists was not part of the law.
Mhike also described Mhlanga’s overnight detention conditions as dire.
“The cells had hanging ceilings, no bedding, no access to food or water, an overall uninhabitable environment,” he said.
Mhike also proposed a bail of US$100, assuring Regional Magistrate Gwatima that Mhlanga will reside at his given address and not interfere with state witnesses.
Mhlanga, Head of HStv, and a senior AMH reporter, faces allegations under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The state alleges Mhlanga used a computer to record and disseminate statements via YouTube and HStv, intending to provoke unrest in the country.
AMH Chairman, Trevor Ncube, condemned the arrest yesterday.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the arrest and detention of Blessed Mhlanga today,” he said adding “Dhara (as Mhlanga is affectionately known) is a principled and courageous journalist who will not be broken by this brazen harassment and intimidation.”
He characterized the detention as punishment for Mhlanga’s journalistic duties, particularly the Geza interview broadcasts.
London based human rights lawyer, Delaney Phiri, Lecturer at the University of London, writing online, took a scathing view of Mhlanga’s arrest.
He argued the charges lack legal grounding and serve to intimidate journalists.
The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (ZINEF) echoed the same sentiment, urging the government to uphold constitutional media freedoms and halt journalist intimidation.
Amnesty International also weighed in, with the Southern Africa Deputy Regional Director, Khanyo Farisè, calling for his immediate release.
“We call for the immediate release of Mhlanga and the unconditional dropping of all charges against him, journalism is not a crime,” she said.
Outside the courtroom, dozens of journalists, rights activists, and opposition politicians gathered in solidarity.
Geza, whose statements triggered the charges against Mhlanga, is wanted by police and remains at large, with his wife, Roseline Tawengwa, being detained over his whereabouts.
