Blessed Mhlanga is a distinguished journalist in Zimbabwe, celebrated for his fearless reporting and dedication to press freedom. He heads the news department at Heart & Soul TV (HStv) and hosts the platform’s flagship talk show, “FreeTalk.” Through his reporting, Mhlanga has consistently worked to uncover the truth and demand accountability from those in power.
On February 24, 2025, Mhlanga was charged with incitement to public violence after covering press conferences by Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, an outspoken critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who had called for the president’s resignation over corruption.
Mhlanga was held in pre-trial detention for 73 days. Despite repeated appeals, he was denied bail three times. Mhlanga’s arrest and detention were widely condemned by media rights groups, with critics arguing it was a deliberate move to suppress independent journalism in Zimbabwe. On his fourth request for bail, in May 2025, Mhalnga was finally released.
Following his release, Mhlanga has become an outspoken advocate for press freedom, documenting his imprisonment and highlighting the escalating repression faced by journalists in Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga received the Zimbabwe Election Reporting Award’s “Best 2018 Election Reporter” prize for an investigative piece examining the 2018 voters’ roll, which revealed interference aimed at securing victory for Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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