Reacting to news of the arbitrary arrest and detention of Alpha Media Holdings senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga today, Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa, said:
“Amnesty International condemns the arrest and detention of Blessed Mhlanga solely for peacefully exercising his human rights and carrying out his professional duties.
Amnesty International condemns the arrest and detention of Blessed Mhlanga solely for peacefully exercising his human rights and carrying out his professional duties.
Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa
“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.
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
Khanyo Farisè
“Authorities must stop misusing the criminal justice system to silence journalists and clampdown 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.”
Background
On 21 February 2025, the Zimbabwe Republic Police called for information on the whereabouts of Mhlanga for allegedly contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The charges emanate from statements, which were allegedly uttered by Blessed Geza, a liberation war veteran and a ZANU PF political party central committee member on 27 January 2025 and on 11 February 2025 during interviews hosted by Mhlanga. On 24 February 2025, Blessed Mhlanga voluntarily appeared before the Harare police and was charged with allegedly “transmitting data messages that incite violence and damage to property.” He is set to appear in court on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.
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