HUMAN Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday urged Zimbabwean authorities to desist from weaponising the law and drop charges against journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
Mhlanga, a senior journalist with independent media outlet Heart & Soul TV (HStv), has been in detention since his arrest in Harare on February 24.
He was charged with incitement to commit violence following an interview he had with firebrand war veteran Blessed “Bombshell” Geza.
During the interview, Geza demanded the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing him of nepotism, corruption and incompetence, among a cocktail of other charges.
“Zimbabwean authorities should immediately release journalist Blessed Mhlanga and drop the charges (levelled) against him for simply doing his job,” said Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at HRW, in a statement.
“These baseless charges are yet another stark reminder that the rights to freedom of expression and the media are under serious threat in Zimbabwe.”
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Mhlanga was denied bail at the magistrates court on the grounds that his release will trigger national unrest and undermine peace and security.
The High Court upheld the decision of the lower court.
HRW said targeting journalists and political opponents peacefully exercising their rights undermined the country’s standing as a rights-respecting country.
Zimbabwe is party to a number of treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which speaks to freedom of expression.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Resolution on the Safety of Journalists and Media Practitioners in Africa obligates States to ensure that the right to express oneself through the media is not subjected to undue legal restrictions,” Nassah said.
“Principle 20 of the ACHPR Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa calls upon States to take measures to prevent arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists.
“The arrest and prolonged detention of Blessed Mhlanga sends a message to all journalists that their work makes them a target for mistreatment.”
Various media groups have called for Mhlanga’s release.
HStv is the online broadcast arm of Alpha Media Holdings, publishers of the NewsDay, The Standard, Zimbabwe Independent and Southern Eye.
