The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has strongly criticized the arrest of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga, calling on authorities to uphold fundamental press freedom rights.
Mhlanga was arrested Monday on allegations of transmitting information that incites violence or causes damage to property and is being charged under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
On Friday, he was denied bail after the magistrate ruled that he might tamper with witnesses and compromise the investigation.
In a statement released, the U.S. Embassy asserted that journalists should have constitutional protections, including the right to bail and freedom of expression.
“Constitutional rights to bail and free speech should apply to all journalists,” the U.S. Embassy said.
The charges against Mhlanga stem from interviews he allegedly conducted with Blessed Geza, a war veteran from the ruling Zanu PF party and a vocal critic of the Mnangagwa 2030 agenda.3
Geza is currently being sought by police on charges of incitement, undermining the President’s authority, and theft.4 He has openly called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation, citing governance failures.
Currently, the Zanu PF party is divided into two factions, one backing Mnangagwa and advocating for the suspension of the 2028 elections to extend his rule until 2030, while the other, reportedly aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, insists on upholding constitutional term limits.
