BLESSED MHLANGA CLOCKS 50 DAYS IN JAIL FOR DOING HIS JOB

Today marks 50 days since Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga was put in jail. He is not in jail because he committed a crime. He is in jail because of his work as a journalist. Mhlanga was arrested and locked up for doing his job – reporting the news.

He is being held at Harare Remand Prison. This is one of the worst prisons in the country. The prison is overcrowded. It is dirty. It is full of disease. People do not get enough food. It is hard to breathe in the cells. It is not a place where anyone should be kept, especially not someone who has not been found guilty of any crime.

Mhlanga has tried to get bail many times. But the courts have refused to let him go. Bail means that someone can wait for their trial outside of prison. But in Zimbabwe, the law is often used to punish people before they are even tried in court. This is what is happening to Mhlanga. He is being punished before he is found guilty. He is being used as an example to scare other journalists.

This case is not just about one man. It is about press freedom. In Zimbabwe, many journalists are afraid to do their work. They fear arrest. They fear being beaten. They fear being thrown in jail like Mhlanga. But journalists are important. They tell the truth. They report on what is happening in the country. Without journalists, people do not know what is really going on.

Zimbabwe has a bad record when it comes to human rights. Many people in the country do not have basic freedoms. The government does not listen to the people. Elections are not fair. The economy is in bad shape. Many people are poor. Prices are high. Jobs are few. Life is very hard for most Zimbabweans.

Since 1980, the country has been ruled by Zanu PF. This is the same party that led the war for independence. But now, it is known for corruption and abuse. Many people say Zimbabwe is no longer a free country. They say it is a place where the government does what it wants and does not care about the people.

Blessed Mhlanga’s case shows how bad things have become. It shows that the government is now afraid of the truth. They do not want journalists to expose what is wrong. They want to silence voices that speak out. But this is wrong. Journalists are not enemies. They are not criminals. They are just people doing their jobs.

Mhlanga should be free. He should not be in jail. He has not hurt anyone. He has not stolen anything. He has only written stories. But in Zimbabwe, writing the truth can land you in prison.

The world needs to pay attention to what is happening. Human rights groups should speak out. Other countries should ask questions. Zimbabwe must respect freedom of the press. It must let journalists do their work without fear.

Fifty days is too long for an innocent man to be in jail. It is time to let Blessed Mhlanga go home. He belongs with his family, not behind bars. Journalism is not a crime. Telling the truth is not a crime. But in Zimbabwe today, it feels like it is.

Let the world not forget about Blessed Mhlanga. Let us all say, loud and clear: Free Blessed Mhlanga.