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Journalist Blessed Mhlanga to surrender to police
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Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga has vowed to present himself to the police after authorities launched a manhunt for him on allegations of distributing content deemed harmful to the state.
On Friday morning, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued a public appeal for information on Mhlanga's whereabouts, accusing him of contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The law criminalizes the circulation, broadcast, or distribution of harmful data messages via computer or information systems, including emails, social media, online articles, and digital documents.
In response, Mhlanga denied being on the run, stating that he had already complied with police requests in the past and would report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Monday.
"Having read the @PoliceZimbabwe statement, (and) having presented myself twice after being requested. I have called Commissioner Nyathi (and) assured him that I will be at CID by 9 am on Monday as I am currently unwell. I am not on the run. I have always complied (with) lawful orders," Mhlanga posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The move by the authorities comes in the wake of Mhlanga's recent interview with Zanu PF central committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who publicly called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Earlier this week, armed security personnel made two visits to HSTV studios, the digital broadcasting arm of AMH, in search of Mhlanga. The visits caused panic in the newsroom, with a fresh incident on Thursday involving three armed men entering the HSTV offices looking for him.
Later that evening, Mhlanga posted a cryptic message on his X handle, quoting lyrics from rapper DMX's song Slippin', hinting at his deteriorating health.
“I'm tripping, I'm falling and I can't get up,” he wrote. "My health is failing me, my mind spinning. I am in a hospital right now. But I am grateful for the support that I have received from you, my employers, and my family. This is a trying time for me. All I am doing is my job."
This is not Mhlanga's first encounter with the authorities. Earlier this month, he was summoned to Harare Central Police Station over a six-year-old case involving former Finance deputy minister Terrence Mukupe.
The situation has sparked concerns over press freedom in Zimbabwe, with critics warning that journalists are increasingly being targeted for their work.
On Friday morning, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued a public appeal for information on Mhlanga's whereabouts, accusing him of contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The law criminalizes the circulation, broadcast, or distribution of harmful data messages via computer or information systems, including emails, social media, online articles, and digital documents.
In response, Mhlanga denied being on the run, stating that he had already complied with police requests in the past and would report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Monday.
"Having read the @PoliceZimbabwe statement, (and) having presented myself twice after being requested. I have called Commissioner Nyathi (and) assured him that I will be at CID by 9 am on Monday as I am currently unwell. I am not on the run. I have always complied (with) lawful orders," Mhlanga posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The move by the authorities comes in the wake of Mhlanga's recent interview with Zanu PF central committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who publicly called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Later that evening, Mhlanga posted a cryptic message on his X handle, quoting lyrics from rapper DMX's song Slippin', hinting at his deteriorating health.
“I'm tripping, I'm falling and I can't get up,” he wrote. "My health is failing me, my mind spinning. I am in a hospital right now. But I am grateful for the support that I have received from you, my employers, and my family. This is a trying time for me. All I am doing is my job."
This is not Mhlanga's first encounter with the authorities. Earlier this month, he was summoned to Harare Central Police Station over a six-year-old case involving former Finance deputy minister Terrence Mukupe.
The situation has sparked concerns over press freedom in Zimbabwe, with critics warning that journalists are increasingly being targeted for their work.
Source - newsday
