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Arrest warrant issued for Blessed Mhlanga
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A warrant of arrest has been issued for Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga after he failed to appear before the Harare Magistrates' Court for the continuation of his trial.
The warrant was issued on March 9 by magistrate Sheunesu Matova, following Mhlanga's absence from scheduled proceedings. His legal team has attributed the failure to attend court to ongoing medical treatment in South Africa, where he remains after travelling from Geneva.
Geneva Speech and Health Concerns
Mhlanga had recently addressed the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, where he sharply criticised the Zimbabwean government, accusing it of "weaponising the law" against dissenting voices.
On his return journey, he reportedly sought medical attention in South Africa. His case has drawn further attention due to earlier claims that authorities had initially denied him access to his passport to seek urgent treatment while he was in custody.
Mhlanga is facing two counts of transmitting data messages allegedly intended to incite public violence under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act. The charges stem from 2025 broadcasts on Heart & Soul TV, in which discussions reportedly called for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during interviews with the late war veterans' leader Blessed Geza.
He was arrested on February 24, 2025, and spent 73 days in pre-trial detention. Mhlanga later described conditions at Harare Remand Prison as "hell on earth," citing overcrowding, bedbug infestations, and harsh treatment by prison guards.
During this period, he was denied bail three times before eventually being granted release on May 6, 2025, under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and reporting to police on a weekly basis.
Mhlanga's arrest and prosecution have drawn condemnation from international media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and Amnesty International, all of which have described the case as a "travesty of justice" and called for the charges to be dropped.
The Zimbabwean government has dismissed criticism surrounding the case. Information Minister Zhemu Soda described Mhlanga's remarks at the Geneva summit as "malicious."
Meanwhile, some hardliners within the ruling Zanu PF party have reportedly called for further action against the journalist, including proposals to strip him of his passport over what they describe as "unpatriotic conduct."
Conversely, sections of the media and civil society have appealed to the United Nations to intervene and ensure Mhlanga's safety.
The matter has been postponed to April 10, 2026, when the court is expected to conduct a default inquiry to verify the reasons for Mhlanga's absence.
The case continues to spotlight tensions between the Zimbabwean government and independent journalists, raising broader concerns over press freedom and the use of cyber laws in the country.
The warrant was issued on March 9 by magistrate Sheunesu Matova, following Mhlanga's absence from scheduled proceedings. His legal team has attributed the failure to attend court to ongoing medical treatment in South Africa, where he remains after travelling from Geneva.
Geneva Speech and Health Concerns
Mhlanga had recently addressed the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, where he sharply criticised the Zimbabwean government, accusing it of "weaponising the law" against dissenting voices.
On his return journey, he reportedly sought medical attention in South Africa. His case has drawn further attention due to earlier claims that authorities had initially denied him access to his passport to seek urgent treatment while he was in custody.
Mhlanga is facing two counts of transmitting data messages allegedly intended to incite public violence under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act. The charges stem from 2025 broadcasts on Heart & Soul TV, in which discussions reportedly called for the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during interviews with the late war veterans' leader Blessed Geza.
He was arrested on February 24, 2025, and spent 73 days in pre-trial detention. Mhlanga later described conditions at Harare Remand Prison as "hell on earth," citing overcrowding, bedbug infestations, and harsh treatment by prison guards.
During this period, he was denied bail three times before eventually being granted release on May 6, 2025, under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and reporting to police on a weekly basis.
Mhlanga's arrest and prosecution have drawn condemnation from international media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and Amnesty International, all of which have described the case as a "travesty of justice" and called for the charges to be dropped.
The Zimbabwean government has dismissed criticism surrounding the case. Information Minister Zhemu Soda described Mhlanga's remarks at the Geneva summit as "malicious."
Meanwhile, some hardliners within the ruling Zanu PF party have reportedly called for further action against the journalist, including proposals to strip him of his passport over what they describe as "unpatriotic conduct."
Conversely, sections of the media and civil society have appealed to the United Nations to intervene and ensure Mhlanga's safety.
The matter has been postponed to April 10, 2026, when the court is expected to conduct a default inquiry to verify the reasons for Mhlanga's absence.
The case continues to spotlight tensions between the Zimbabwean government and independent journalists, raising broader concerns over press freedom and the use of cyber laws in the country.
Source - online
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