Journalist Mhlanga takes freedom bid to Constitutional Court
By Staff Reporter
Jailed Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga has filed a Constitutional Court application seeking leave to challenge the crime that has seen him languish in remand prison for over a month now.
Mhlanga, who anchors a slot that discusses hot political topics on AMH’s HStv, is accused of violating sections of the new Cyber & Data Protection Act (CDPA).
The state says the journalist unlawfully granted airplay to firebrand Zanu PF politician and war veteran Blessed Geza to level obscenities at President Emmerson Mnangagwa and for his removal.
Mnangagwa has angered friends and foes through current manoeuvres to unlawfully extend his term of office beyond his two five-year terms.
Mhlanga has seen his continual attempts to be granted bail dismissed by both the magistrates’ court and High Court.
Through his lawyers, the scribe is now suing Justice and Information ministers, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Jenfan Muswere together with the Attorney General, Prince Machaya while challenging the law under which he was arrested.
He says the law violates provisions of the constitution.
Mhlanga, represented by his lawyer Chris Mhike, said the law runs counter to freedom of expression and the freedom of the Media and 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 and creativity and academic freedom.
“Every person is entitled to freedom of the media which freedom included protection of the confidentiality of journalist sources on information,” he said.
Mhlanga argues that the constitution allows every citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons and the media, 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.
