HARARE – Detained Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga has filed papers seeking the Constitutional Court’s audience following his decision to challenge the law under which he was arrested.
This is after his repeated bail attempts have all been dismissed by both the magistrates’ court and the High Court.
Mhlanga, who anchors a discussion slot on AMH’s HStv, is accused of violating sections of the new Cyber & Data Protection Act (CDPA) after he allegedly granted airplay to fiery Zanu PF politician, Blessed Geza to hurl insults at President Emmerson Mnangagwa and further call for his removal.
The journalist is now suing Justice and Information ministers, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Jenfan Muswere as well as the Attorney General, Prince Machaya, challenging the law under which he was arrested.
He wants the apex court to scrutinise the law and see its application by the state was not in violation of his fundamental rights.
Through his lawyer Chris Mhike, Mhlanga said the section violates freedom of expression and freedom of the media as well as section 62 of the Constitution, Access to information.
“Section 61 of the constitution states that every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom to seek, receive and communicate ideas and other information, freedom of artistic expression and scientific research a d creativity and academic freedom.
“Every person is entitled to freedom of the media which freedom included protect of the confidentiality of Journalists sources on information,” he said.
Mhlanga also said the constitution provides that every Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the media has the right to access any information held by the State or by any institution or agency or government at every level in so far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability.
The journalist has been languishing in remand prison for over a month following his arrest in February.
His arrest and continued detention have been flagged by observers as a sign that the Zimbabwean government was not yet ready to observe press freedom.
