Amnesty International has called on Zimbabwean authorities to drop all charges against journalist Blessed Mhlanga, arguing that his prosecution is unjust and violates the country’s constitutional and international obligations to protect press freedom and freedom of expression.
Mhlanga was provisionally released from detention on 7 May after spending 72 days in prison, following his arrest on 24 February on charges of “transmitting data messages that incite violence or damage to property.”
His detention appears to be linked to interviews he conducted in January and February with Blessed Geza, a war veteran and former senior member of the ruling ZANU PF party, who had criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa and called for his resignation over corruption and economic decline.
In a letter to Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda-Moyo on Friday, Amnesty International denounced the arrest and prosecution as an attack on press freedoms, stating that Zimbabwe must uphold the rights to free expression and media as outlined in its constitution and international human rights treaties.
“Blessed Mhlanga’s unjust prosecution violates Mhlanga’s right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty said in a statement, urging authorities to act immediately and drop all charges.
This is not the first time Mhlanga has faced targeted harassment for his journalism.
In May 2022, he was arrested and charged with alleged “disorderly conduct” after recording the arrest of an opposition lawmaker.
Reports indicate that police assaulted him, destroyed his phone and detained him despite identifying himself as a journalist. He was later acquitted.
JN/APA