Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is facing a dramatic ultimatum—release detained journalist Blessed Mhlanga or have his secret dealings laid bare before the public. This warning comes from Trevor Ncube, the influential chairman of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), who is taking a bold stand against what he calls an assault on press freedom.
Mhlanga, a senior journalist with AMH, remains in custody amid frustrating delays in obtaining crucial court transcripts required for his bail appeal. Despite filing an official request last Friday, his legal team has yet to receive the documents, significantly stalling efforts to secure his release.
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According to NewsDay, the legal team at Atherstone & Cook has formally demanded a copy of Magistrate Gwitima’s ruling on bail, as well as a full record of Mhlanga’s February 25 court appearance. Stressing the urgency, they argued that Mhlanga’s right to liberty was being unjustly denied.
On Monday, the lawyers followed up with another appeal to the Clerk of the Magistrate’s Court, urging the immediate release of the transcripts. However, as of yesterday, there had been no response, prolonging the journalist’s time behind bars.
Mhlanga’s arrest has sparked a firestorm of condemnation from human rights groups and media organizations. The U.S. Embassy in Harare weighed in last Friday, emphasizing that journalists must be afforded their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and fair access to bail.
Outside the Harare Magistrates Court, Ncube made his stance clear. Standing in solidarity with Mhlanga, he declared that the journalist was simply performing his professional duties and should not be held accountable for published content. He even challenged authorities to arrest him instead, arguing, “Blessed is not AMH. He is just a journalist doing his job, which is constitutionally protected. If someone must be held responsible, it should be me as the publisher.”
Ncube further accused the government of manipulating the judiciary under Mnangagwa’s control. “The president has the judiciary, the military, and the police in his grip. They act at his command. What we saw today was not justice—it was a complete disregard for our Constitution,” he declared.
Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, confirmed that an appeal will be filed with the High Court as soon as the necessary transcripts are made available. Meanwhile, Mhlanga is scheduled for a routine remand hearing on March 14.
With tensions escalating and international scrutiny mounting, all eyes are now on Mnangagwa’s next move. Will the president heed the warning and release Mhlanga, or will Zimbabwe brace for an even bigger political storm?
