Arrest Blessed Geza not Blessed Mhlanga
Blessed Mhlanga, a prominent journalist in Zimbabwe, is unlawful and amounts to state-facilitated abduction. The crux of the issue lies in the nature of his arrest and the context surrounding it. Mhlanga was
taken into custody under what critics describe as dubious charges related to an interview he conducted with Blessed Geza, a controversial figure.
The fundamental argument against his arrest is that it violates the principles of journalistic freedom. Mhlanga, as a journalist, was simply performing his duties by interviewing someone of public
interest, which should not expose him to criminal liability for the statements made by his interviewee, Blessed Geza and his war vets. It is a well-established legal principle that journalists are not responsible for the opinions expressed by their sources. By arresting
Mhlanga, the state appears to be sending a chilling message to other journalists, discouraging them from pursuing stories that may be
politically sensitive.
Moreover, the legitimacy of the charges against Mhlanga is called into question. Mhlanga is an employee of Alpha Media Holding (AMH) and critics point out that if those responsible for the production and broadcasting of the interview are not being prosecuted, the charges against Mhlanga seem to lack a solid legal foundation. This raises concerns about selective prosecution and the misuse of state power to
target individuals for their professional activities.
Mhlanga’s arrest has been described as a breach of the rule of law, particularly in a context where the presumption of innocence is a fundamental right. The state claims that Mhlanga amplified potentially
criminal remarks made by his guest, yet this assertion hinges on the determination that the interviewee’s statements were indeed criminal, a determination that has not yet been made by a competent court. Until such a ruling occurs, any action against Mhlanga can be seen as
premature and lacking legal basis.
Furthermore, the state’s argument against granting him bail highlights the intent to intimidate rather than pursue justice. The equipment involved in the alleged offenses belongs to his employer, AMH, not to
Mhlanga personally, suggesting that any liability should lie with the media organisation rather than the journalist.
Blessed Mhlanga’s only “wrongdoing” appears to be exercising his rights as a journalist in a politically charged environment. His
arrest is symptomatic of broader issues regarding press freedom and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, raising urgent questions about the safety
and autonomy of journalists in the country.
Are we going back to the Robert Mugabe era or was ED running the show all along.
Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
