Journalist Blessed Mhlanga, political activists’ arrests will ‘send Zimbabwe back to the dark ages’, warns Human Rights Commission

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THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has cautioned the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) that the arrest of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga, alongside other political activists, threatens to drag the nation back to its dark ages, jeopardising its standing in the international community.

Zimbabwe at one point was branded a pariah State due to rising cases of rights violations.

In a statement released Friday, the commission warned that the recent arrests of Mhlanga and several other activists are leaving an indelible stain on Zimbabwe’s justice system, which is frequently accused of being a mere puppet on a string, manipulated by the ruling Zanu PF party.

“The ZHRC is, however, deeply concerned by the arrests of journalists and human rights defenders, particularly in cases where heightened political interests are at stake.

“The Commission has noted with concern that such political interests often muddy the waters of the justice delivery process and procedures, frequently at the expense of the accused’s rights.

“This also detracts from the positive progress Zimbabwe has generally made in upholding fundamental rights and freedoms,” the statement read.

The Commission further reminded the GoZ of its obligations under the national Constitution, as well as various international and regional instruments to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, regarding freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

“The right to freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – on which Zimbabwe recently presented a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva – and by the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

“The ZHRC further reminds the GoZ of UN resolutions on the treatment of journalists, including the Human Rights Council Resolution HRC/RES/21/12 on the safety of journalists,” the statement continued.

The Commission also asserted that every individual has the right to share and debate even politically sensitive issues without fear of reprisal.

“The ZHRC reminds everyone that it is acceptable to openly share views and debate even sensitive political issues, such as the current debate on the amendment of the Constitution to extend presidential terms to 2030 or beyond.

“Every person in Zimbabwe has a right to express their views without fear of persecution or reprisal on this or any other matter and seek to persuade others in a peaceful manner,” the statement declared.

The Commission did, however, commend the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for treating Mhlanga with dignity, even though the court heard two weeks ago that he was forced to sleep in a filthy police cell, a fate not fit for a dog, let alone a human being.

Mhlanga was arrested on 24 February 2025 after turning himself in to the police, who had publicly sought his whereabouts.

The charge of inciting public violence stems from HSTV’s broadcast of explosive press briefings given by expelled Zanu-PF Central Committee member Blessed Geza, in which Geza called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign.

He was charged with transmitting messages with intent to incite public violence or damage to property under Section 164 of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act.

Mhlanga was denied bail by the Harare Magistrate Court, and his bail appeal at the High Court has been shelved indefinitely. He remains in custody at Harare Remand Prison.