News / National
Zinef condemns Mhlanga harassment
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Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef) chairperson, Dumisani Muleya, has condemned the police's pursuit of Alpha Media Holdings online radio and television HStv platform anchor Blessed Mhlanga. This follows Mhlanga's recent interview with militant war veteran leader Blessed Geza, who stirred political controversy by calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down, citing governance failures.
Police initially issued and later deleted a tweet seeking information on Mhlanga's whereabouts, stating that he faced charges under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which deals with transmitting data messages that incite violence or cause property damage.
Geza, along with other war veterans, has demanded that Mnangagwa resign over his controversial third-term bid, which he denies. Following Geza's remarks, police charged him with four criminal offenses, including allegedly undermining the authority of and insulting the President. Geza has since fled the country.
Muleya, who has himself faced multiple arrests for his reporting, criticized law enforcement for allegedly attempting to coerce Mhlanga into aiding their investigation or using him as a proxy to apprehend Geza, arguing that such actions are unlawful and reminiscent of colonial-era law enforcement tactics.
The Zinef chairperson highlighted concerns over press freedom and journalist safety in Zimbabwe. Last year, The NewsHawks, an investigative digital newspaper edited by Muleya, suspended reporting on a corruption case involving the military due to journalist harassment.
Muleya urged the police to respect journalists' rights and ensure their safety in line with the constitution. He emphasized that reporters are not adversaries of Mnangagwa or the government but are professionals committed to delivering news in the public interest. While police should perform their duties within constitutional limits, they must also uphold media freedom and the right of journalists to report without fear.
In a statement, Muleya said: "As Zinef, we are advised by our lawyers that in Zimbabwe, the legality of hostage arrest or arrest by proxy, which seems to be what police are attempting with AMH journalist Blessed Mhlanga, is highly controversial. Forcing a journalist to aid a police investigation or detaining someone to pressure another individual to surrender is inconsistent with constitutional democracy and the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights."
The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of Zimbabwe's constitution safeguards citizens' freedoms, including protection from government abuse. While the law does not explicitly permit or prohibit hostage arrests, various national and international legal instruments can be invoked to challenge such practices.
Relevant legal provisions include Section 49 of the constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and prohibits arbitrary detention, as well as the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which emphasizes due process and individual rights. Zimbabwe is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which ensures personal liberty and security.
Muleya further stated: "While Zimbabwean law does not explicitly allow hostage arrests, constitutional and international human rights laws suggest that such practices are unlawful. Courts have ruled against arbitrary detentions in the past, reinforcing the principle of protecting individual rights. Journalists must not be forced to act as law enforcement agents."
Mhlanga has previously faced legal issues. In 2022, he was arrested for disorderly conduct while covering a municipal by-election in Chitungwiza but was later acquitted. He has also spoken out against police brutality, sharing personal experiences of assault by officers.
Muleya concluded by asserting that while the police should operate freely and without undue criticism, journalists must also be allowed to conduct their work without harassment or intimidation. Section 61 of the constitution guarantees media freedom, allowing individuals to seek, receive, and disseminate information without interference. This includes protecting journalists' sources and ensuring independent licensing of broadcast and electronic media free from government influence.
Police initially issued and later deleted a tweet seeking information on Mhlanga's whereabouts, stating that he faced charges under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which deals with transmitting data messages that incite violence or cause property damage.
Geza, along with other war veterans, has demanded that Mnangagwa resign over his controversial third-term bid, which he denies. Following Geza's remarks, police charged him with four criminal offenses, including allegedly undermining the authority of and insulting the President. Geza has since fled the country.
Muleya, who has himself faced multiple arrests for his reporting, criticized law enforcement for allegedly attempting to coerce Mhlanga into aiding their investigation or using him as a proxy to apprehend Geza, arguing that such actions are unlawful and reminiscent of colonial-era law enforcement tactics.
The Zinef chairperson highlighted concerns over press freedom and journalist safety in Zimbabwe. Last year, The NewsHawks, an investigative digital newspaper edited by Muleya, suspended reporting on a corruption case involving the military due to journalist harassment.
Muleya urged the police to respect journalists' rights and ensure their safety in line with the constitution. He emphasized that reporters are not adversaries of Mnangagwa or the government but are professionals committed to delivering news in the public interest. While police should perform their duties within constitutional limits, they must also uphold media freedom and the right of journalists to report without fear.
In a statement, Muleya said: "As Zinef, we are advised by our lawyers that in Zimbabwe, the legality of hostage arrest or arrest by proxy, which seems to be what police are attempting with AMH journalist Blessed Mhlanga, is highly controversial. Forcing a journalist to aid a police investigation or detaining someone to pressure another individual to surrender is inconsistent with constitutional democracy and the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights."
The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of Zimbabwe's constitution safeguards citizens' freedoms, including protection from government abuse. While the law does not explicitly permit or prohibit hostage arrests, various national and international legal instruments can be invoked to challenge such practices.
Relevant legal provisions include Section 49 of the constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and prohibits arbitrary detention, as well as the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which emphasizes due process and individual rights. Zimbabwe is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which ensures personal liberty and security.
Muleya further stated: "While Zimbabwean law does not explicitly allow hostage arrests, constitutional and international human rights laws suggest that such practices are unlawful. Courts have ruled against arbitrary detentions in the past, reinforcing the principle of protecting individual rights. Journalists must not be forced to act as law enforcement agents."
Mhlanga has previously faced legal issues. In 2022, he was arrested for disorderly conduct while covering a municipal by-election in Chitungwiza but was later acquitted. He has also spoken out against police brutality, sharing personal experiences of assault by officers.
Muleya concluded by asserting that while the police should operate freely and without undue criticism, journalists must also be allowed to conduct their work without harassment or intimidation. Section 61 of the constitution guarantees media freedom, allowing individuals to seek, receive, and disseminate information without interference. This includes protecting journalists' sources and ensuring independent licensing of broadcast and electronic media free from government influence.
Source - online
