THE International Press Institute (IPI) global network has called on Zimbabwe authorities to drop all charges against the media house Heart & Soul TV (HStv) and its journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who faces up to five years imprisonment over the publication of an interview he conducted with a politician.
In a statement on Wednesday, IPI also urged the authorities to immediately cease the abuse of cybercrime laws to harass and target critical journalists and instead calls on authorities to protect independent journalism as a central element of democratic debate.
Mhlanga was granted bail on May 6 after spending more than two months in pre-trial detention on accusations of messages inciting violence or damage to property.
On May 16, a court charged him and HStv — which is part of the Alpha Media Holdings group — with the same alleged violation of the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act.
Mhlanga’s next court appearance is scheduled on June 17, 2025.
If found guilty, he risks at least five years imprisonment and a fine of up to US$700.
Mhlanga’s arrest in February followed the broadcasting of an interview with Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, a war veteran and member of the ruling Zanu PF party.
In the interview, Geza criticised an alleged intention by the government to amend the Constitution and extend the presidential term limit.
- Drop charges against HStv, Mhlanga: IPI
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In the video broadcast, Geza also criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa over alleged bad governance and called on him to resign.
Following Mhlanga’s several court appearances, he was denied bail on three instances.
“Blessed Mhlanga was held in pre-trial detention for 73 days for simply doing media work that is in the public interest, in violation of Press freedom guaranteed by Zimbabwe’s Constitution”, Marystella Simiyu, IPI Africa senior legal advocacy officer, said.
“While IPI welcomes his release on bail, authorities should now drop all charges against both Mhlanga and HStv and allow the media to report on issues of public interest without fear of arrest or legal harassment.
“These criminal charges are a worrying example of the intolerance of authorities shown towards press freedom and independent journalism in Zimbabwe, which instils fear and self-censorship among journalists in the country.
“We note this case also offers yet another example of the global abuse of cybercrime legislation to censor and criminalise legitimate public interest journalism.”
According to local observers, the arrest and the lengthy pre-trial detention of Mhlanga, including consistent denial of bail before his release, is a sign that critical journalism is under threat and paints a grim picture of the press freedom situation of the country.
“IPI reiterates its call on authorities to ensure that independent journalism is protected, in line with regional and international instruments the country ratified on press freedom.”
