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Blessed Mhlanga in the dock
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Veteran journalist Blessed Mhlanga appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court, facing charges of transmitting data messages to incite public violence.
The charges stem from two videos posted on YouTube by Heart & Soul TV (HStv), in which outspoken war veteran and Zanu-PF central committee member Blessing Geza threatened to lead a nationwide shutdown against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mhlanga is charged with two counts of contravening Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
"The charges emanate from interviews which Mhlanga reportedly conducted with Blessing Geza on January 27, 2025, and February 11, 2025," ZLHR said in a statement.
Although the videos posted by HStv were not structured as interviews but as monologues by Geza, prosecutors argue that Mhlanga played a role in their dissemination.
In the videos, Geza, claiming to represent the majority of Zimbabwe's war veterans, declared that Mnangagwa had failed and must step down immediately. He also vowed to initiate a nationwide shutdown to force the president's resignation.
Meanwhile, Mhlanga has raised concerns over inhumane treatment in police custody. His lawyer, Chris Mhike, described the conditions in the cells as deplorable, citing hanging ceilings, a lack of bedding, no access to food or water, and an overall uninhabitable environment.
The state is opposing bail, arguing that Mhlanga may interfere with witnesses, some of whom are his junior colleagues at work.
His case has drawn attention from media rights groups, who view the charges as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Zimbabwe.
The charges stem from two videos posted on YouTube by Heart & Soul TV (HStv), in which outspoken war veteran and Zanu-PF central committee member Blessing Geza threatened to lead a nationwide shutdown against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mhlanga is charged with two counts of contravening Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
"The charges emanate from interviews which Mhlanga reportedly conducted with Blessing Geza on January 27, 2025, and February 11, 2025," ZLHR said in a statement.
Although the videos posted by HStv were not structured as interviews but as monologues by Geza, prosecutors argue that Mhlanga played a role in their dissemination.
In the videos, Geza, claiming to represent the majority of Zimbabwe's war veterans, declared that Mnangagwa had failed and must step down immediately. He also vowed to initiate a nationwide shutdown to force the president's resignation.
Meanwhile, Mhlanga has raised concerns over inhumane treatment in police custody. His lawyer, Chris Mhike, described the conditions in the cells as deplorable, citing hanging ceilings, a lack of bedding, no access to food or water, and an overall uninhabitable environment.
The state is opposing bail, arguing that Mhlanga may interfere with witnesses, some of whom are his junior colleagues at work.
His case has drawn attention from media rights groups, who view the charges as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Zimbabwe.
Source - online
