Today makes 50 days since Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga was thrown into prison. He is not in jail because he stole anything. He is not in jail because he hurt anyone. He is in jail because he reported the news. He was arrested for doing his job — telling the truth.
Mhlanga is being kept at Harare Remand Prison, one of the worst prisons in Zimbabwe. The prison is overcrowded. It is dirty and full of disease. People in there barely get enough food. The air is hard to breathe. It is a place where people suffer. It is not a place where someone like Mhlanga, who has not even been found guilty, should be kept.
He has tried many times to get bail, but the courts keep saying no. Bail means someone can stay outside of prison while they wait for trial. In a fair system, someone like Mhlanga would be out of jail. But in Zimbabwe, the law is used as a weapon. Instead of waiting for trial, Mhlanga is being punished now. This is not justice. It is political. They want to send a message to all other journalists: speak out, and you will be next.
This is not just about one journalist. It is about the freedom of the press in Zimbabwe. Many journalists are now afraid. They fear arrest, beatings, and jail. But journalism is important. It helps people know what is happening. It helps people see the truth. Without it, the powerful can do whatever they want, and no one will know.
Zimbabwe is known for human rights abuses. The people are not free. Elections are not fair. The economy is broken. Prices are going up. Jobs are hard to find. Life is hard for the ordinary person. And instead of fixing these problems, the government focuses on silencing anyone who speaks out — like Blessed Mhlanga.
Since 1980, ZANU PF has ruled Zimbabwe. At first, they were seen as heroes who brought independence. But now, they are known for corruption, greed, and fear. They do not listen to the people. They use the police and courts to crush anyone who tells the truth. That is what is happening to Mhlanga.
Mhlanga did nothing wrong. He wrote stories. That is all. In any free country, that is not a crime. But in Zimbabwe today, writing the truth is treated like a dangerous act. It is shameful. It is wrong.
The world needs to speak out. Human rights groups must raise their voices. Foreign governments must ask why a journalist is in jail for doing his job. Zimbabwe must be held accountable.
Fifty days in jail for doing your job is too long. Mhlanga should be free. He should be home with his family. He should be back writing stories, not sitting in a cold, dark cell.
Let the world hear us. Journalism is not a crime. Truth is not a crime. We must not forget Blessed Mhlanga. We must all stand up and say: Free Blessed Mhlanga now.
Western puppets always shout “press freedom” when their agents are arrested. Zimbabwe is a sovereign nation, let our courts do their work.
This journalist is not above the law. If he broke it, he must face the consequences like anyone else. Stop trying to politicize justice. You call it reporting, but if someone spreads lies and disturbs peace, the state must act. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility.
This is heartbreaking. Fifty days in jail for telling the truth shows how far Zimbabwe has fallen. Journalism is not a crime! Mhlanga’s arrest is an attack on every journalist. If we stay silent now, no one will be safe to speak tomorrow. This is not justice, it’s fear-mongering by the state. Blessed Mhlanga must be released immediately, he is a victim of political repression. Blessed didn’t hurt anyone, he informed the public. That’s a service to the nation, not a threat. Shame on those who jail the truth-tellers.
Blessed Mhlanga is not special. If his reporting was fair, he wouldn’t be in prison. There’s no conspiracy , just law and order being upheld.