ZIMBABWEAN police have arrested and charged prominent journalist, Blessed Mhlanga, for allegedly transmitting data messages inciting violence.
In a renewed onslaught against dissent, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Monday 24 February 2025, arrested Mhlanga, who works for Heart and Soul TV (HStv), and charged him with two counts of contravening section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which relate to the “transmission of data message inciting violence or damage to property.”
Both counts are restricted to the “public violence” component, and they emanate from interviews, which Mhlanga reportedly conducted with Blessing Geza, an outspoken liberation war veteran and a ZANU PF political party central committee member on 27 January 2025 and on 11 February 2025.
Mhlanga, who reported and presented himself at Harare Central Police Station on Monday 24 February 2025, in the company of his lawyer, Chris Mhike of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, after ZRP issued a press statement on Friday 21 February 2025 expressing interest to “interview” him, was questioned by ZRP officers about HStv’s operations and media conferences, which were allegedly addressed by Geza.
ZRP officers recorded a warned and cautioned statement from Mhlanga, who denied all charges levelled against him.
Mhlanga is set to be detained overnight at Harare Central Police Station and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday 25 February 2025.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
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