HARARE – The continued detention of Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga is drawing sharp criticism from the United Kingdom, with concerns raised in the House of Lords that it could significantly hinder the normalisation of relations between the two nations.
Lord Jonny Oates, a member of the House of Lords and former resident of Zimbabwe, has publicly condemned the prolonged pre-trial detention of Mhlanga, highlighting it as a stark example of media suppression under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.
Mhlanga, a senior journalist with Alpha Media Holdings, has been held for 60 days after being charged with “transmitting data messages that incite violence and damage to property.”
The charges stem from his interviews with Blessed Geza, a liberation war veteran and expelled Zanu-PF central committee member, who is critical of Mnangagwa.
Lord Oates, speaking in the House of Lords, asserted that Mhlanga’s detention, particularly the denial of his constitutional right to bail, is a direct assault on media freedom.
“As we speak, the journalist Blessed Mhlanga has been detained for 59 days and denied his constitutional right to bail.
“His crime is having the temerity to conduct an interview with a former war veteran who opposes President Mnangagwa’s desire to extend his term in office and has highlighted the criminal corruption of the regime and the President’s family,” said Oates.
“I hope the Government will continue to make clear that there will be no resumption of normal relations with Zimbabwe while the Zanu-PF regime continues to detain journalists, deny media freedom and defy democratic norms.”
The timing of this criticism is particularly sensitive, as Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxilia Mnangagwa, is scheduled to speak at a summit in London in June.
Lord Oates challenged UK parliamentarians attending the summit to directly address the First Lady about Mhlanga’s detention and the broader issue of human rights in Zimbabwe.
“I note that the President’s wife is due to speak at a summit in London in June,” Oates noted.
“I hope that Members of our Parliament who are choosing to take part will challenge Zimbabwe’s First Lady on the continued detention of Blessed Mhlanga and the overall brutality of the regime she represents.”
