Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga has revealed that three individuals armed with pistols visited his office on Monday morning, searching for him.
Mhlanga, who was not at the office at the time, also received a call from the ZRP Law and Order Section, inviting him to discuss an undisclosed matter. He posted on X:
<blockquote>
It’s not a laughing matter at all. Three persons armed with pistols came to my office this morning looking for me. They did not say why they needed me. Then minutes later, I got a call inviting me to Law and Order. I will be presenting myself to the police with my lawyers tomorrow.
</blockquote>
Earlier this month, Mhlanga was summoned to Harare Central Police Station by the ZRP Law and Order Section.
Concerned about the police’s intentions, Mhlanga attended the station accompanied by MISA Zimbabwe’s External Legal Counsel, Chris Mhike.
It was later revealed that the police wanted to discuss the status of a six-year-old case involving former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe.
The summons followed Mhlanga’s interview with ZANU PF Central Committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who had been making critical remarks about President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In the interview, Geza accused Mnangagwa of corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and failing to address the country’s economic challenges, while calling for his resignation.
On Saturday, HStv, part of the AMH group and run by Mhlanga, posted a statement on X, quoting Geza as saying that he was safe, not arrested, nor in hiding. Geza was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
We are ready to bring change and no amount of threats and lies will derail the struggle. The signal is coming.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Three armed men went to a journalist's office looking for him. The journalist was not there, but later got a call from the police to come discuss something. The journalist had been called by the police before about an interview he did. In the interview, someone criticized the President and called for his resignation. The journalist's TV station later said the person was safe. The journalist will go to the police with his lawyers. The person being interviewed said they are ready for change despite threats.

Three Armed Men Storm NewsDay Journalist's Office

Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga was summoned to Harare Central Police Station on Monday by the ZRP Law and Order Section to discuss an undisclosed matter.
Mhlanga visited the station with MISA Zimbabwe’s External Legal Counsel, Chris Mhike, due to concerns about the intentions of the police.
It was later revealed that the police wanted to discuss the status of a six-year-old case against former deputy Finance minister Terrence Mukupe. Said Mhike:
<blockquote>
We were astonished to arrive at the police station to be informed, after some dilly-dallying by officers in attendance at the station, that police only wanted to establish the status of Mhlanga’s very old case against Terrence Mukupe, Zimbabwe’s former deputy finance minister.
</blockquote>
Mhike said that in the old case, Mukupe was accused of assaulting the journalist in a radio studio during a live political debate in May 2018.
Mukupe was also accused of taking a phone belonging to Mhlanga’s wife.
This incident led to both criminal and civil legal proceedings initiated by Mhlanga against Mukupe. 
The civil matter was resolved in June 2018 when a Harare Magistrate ordered Mukupe to return the phone to its owner.
A few months later, the criminal cases between the parties were also terminated through mutual agreement. Added Mhike:
<blockquote>
It is therefore extremely odd to hear of the police digging up a case that terminated more than six years ago.
The police were notified about the termination of the criminal, as well as the civil proceedings in the Mukupe cases, at the material time.
There was therefore no good reason for the Police to summon the journalist Mhlanga to the police station today. This behaviour amounts to harassment of the press.
</blockquote>
Mhlanga was allowed to leave, and Mhike urged the police to refrain from disturbing Mhlanga’s journalistic endeavours, as well as those of any other journalist working in Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga’s arrest followed his interview with ZANU PF Central Committee member and War Veteran Blessed Geza, who has been making critical comments about President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In the interview, Geza accused Mnangagwa of corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and failing to address the country’s economic challenges, while calling for his resignation.

A journalist named Blessed Mhlanga was called by the police to talk about a case that happened six years ago. The case was about an ex-deputy minister who allegedly assaulted Mhlanga during a radio debate. The case was closed in 2018, but the police wanted to know what happened. Mhlanga's lawyer said it was strange for the police to bring up an old case. The lawyer also said the police shouldn't bother journalists and let them do their work. Mhlanga was allowed to leave, and his lawyer asked the police not to disturb journalists in Zimbabwe.

ZRP Summons Prominent Journalist Over A Case Closed Six Years Ago

Journalists in Masvingo Province have condemned the arrest of Mirror editor, Garikai Mafirakureva, describing the arrest as persecution.
Several journalists from media houses across Masvingo on Friday packed the courtyard at the Masvingo magistrates’ court to show solidarity with Mafirakureva.
Mafirakureva was supposed to appear in court facing a number of charges including writing falsehoods and undermining the authority of the Police.
However, the Police did not show up for the court session and later dropped the charges after being advised that their case stood no chance at law.
The journalists who numbered more than 20 were at Masvingo Magistrates Court from 8 AM until 12 PM when they were told that the charges had been dropped.
EnviroPress editor Moses Ziyambi urged the Police to be conversant with media laws and how journalists operate.
He said Mafirakureva’s arrest was unnecessary and is more worrying in view of the looming general elections. Said Ziyambi:
<blockquote>
Police know very well that falsehoods in a democracy are not criminal, but they are a civil matter.
This case is clear victimization intended to cow journalists before the Police.
</blockquote>
Former Mirror editor Nkulumani Mlambo said Mafirakureva’s arrest was calculated to muzzle the Press.
He said the Police must leave journalists to perform their duties without outside control or interference. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/journalists-pack-courtyard-in-solidarity-with-arrested-editor/">The Mirror</a>

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