By 
Harare, Zimbabwe – On February 24, 2025, Zimbabwean authorities arrested journalist Blessed “Dhara” Mhlanga under the nation’s Cyber & Data Protection Act (CDPA), marking the country’s first such detention under the controversial law. Mhlanga, a reporter for Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), faces charges for allegedly broadcasting press conferences featuring politician Blessed Geza, who called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation. The arrest has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga surrendered to police after they issued a public call for his arrest on X. He is charged under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which prohibits digital content that incites violence or property damage, carrying a potential penalty of five years in prison.
The content in question, aired on AMH’s HStv YouTube channel, covered Geza’s outspoken criticism of Mnangagwa earlier this year. Critics argue that the CDPA, enacted in 2021 to bolster data security, is being repurposed to suppress dissent rather than protect citizens.
The arrest has intensified scrutiny of the law’s application, especially as Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Authority (POTRAZ) hosts workshops to promote CDPA compliance. Despite official claims that the law targets data misuse, not free expression, Mhlanga’s case has fueled skepticism. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International in Zimbabwe, have condemned the detention, calling for his immediate release and warning of a chilling effect on digital journalism.
Mhlanga remains in custody pending a bail ruling scheduled for February 27, as debate grows over whether the CDPA signals a broader crackdown on media and opposition voices in Zimbabwe.
