IPI calls for dropping charges against Blessed Mhlanga and HStv

The International Press Institute (IPI) global network has urged Zimbabwean authorities to drop all charges against media house Heart & Soul TV (HStv) and its journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who faces up to five years in prison over an interview he conducted with a politician.

In a statement released on Wednesday, IPI condemned the ongoing use of cybercrime laws to harass and target critical journalists. The organisation called on the authorities to protect independent journalism, emphasizing its vital role in democratic debate.

Blessed Mhlanga was granted bail on May 6 after spending more than two months in pre-trial detention. He had been accused of publishing messages inciting violence or damage to property under the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act. On May 16, both Mhlanga and HStv, which is part of the Alpha Media Holdings group, were formally charged with the same alleged violations.

Mhlanga's next court hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2025. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to US$700.

The journalist's arrest in February followed the broadcast of an interview with Blessed "Bombshell" Geza, a war veteran and member of the ruling Zanu-PF party. During the interview, Geza criticised a purported government plan to amend the Constitution to extend the presidential term limit. He also accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of poor governance and called for his resignation.

Despite multiple court appearances, Mhlanga was denied bail three times before finally being released.

"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," said Marystella Simiyu, IPI Africa's senior legal advocacy officer.

"While we welcome his release on bail, the authorities should drop all charges against Mhlanga and HStv and allow the media to operate without fear of arrest or legal harassment."

Simiyu described the criminal charges as a worrying example of intolerance toward press freedom in Zimbabwe, noting that such actions instill fear and self-censorship among journalists.

"This case also highlights the global trend of abusing cybercrime laws to censor and criminalise legitimate public interest journalism," she added.

Local observers say Mhlanga's arrest, lengthy detention, and repeated bail denials underscore the challenges facing critical journalism and paint a grim picture for press freedom in Zimbabwe.

IPI reiterated its call for the protection of independent journalism in accordance with regional and international agreements that Zimbabwe has ratified.