Plainclothes police officers visited Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) CEO Kenias Mafudzike at his home on Friday morning.
AMH is an independent media house in Zimbabwe. They publish several newspapers, including The Zimbabwe Independent, The Standard, NewsDay, and Southern Eye, and also operate Heart and Soul TV (HSTV).
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200038628/update-2-police-summon-amh-ceo-after-launching-manhunt-against-journalist-blessed-mhlanga">NewsDay</a>, the officers arrived at Mafudzike’s residence before summoning him to the Harare Central Police Station. He was released in the afternoon without charge.
Later on Friday, the police issued a statement announcing a manhunt for AMH senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga, accusing him of distributing content deemed harmful to the State.
Mhlanga, however, said that he would present himself to the police on Monday as he is currently unwell. He wrote on X:
<blockquote>
Having read the @PoliceZimbabwe statement, (and) having presented myself twice after being requested. I have called Commissioner Nyathi (and) assured him that I will be at CID by 9 am on Monday as I am currently unwell. I am not on the run. I have always complied (with) lawful orders.
</blockquote>
This development follows a recent interview by Mhlanga with ZANU PF central committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who issued President Emmerson Mnangagwa an ultimatum to step down.
This week, armed security personnel visited HSTV studios twice in search of Mhlanga. On Thursday, three armed men arrived at the HSTV office, causing panic in the newsroom.
Earlier this month, Mhlanga was summoned to the Harare Central Police Station over a six-year-old case involving former Finance Deputy Minister Terrence Mukupe.

Pindula News

Plainclothes police visited the CEO of a media company in Zimbabwe at his home. The CEO was taken to the police station but later released. The police are also looking for a journalist from the same media company. The journalist said he would go to the police on Monday because he is sick. This all happened after the journalist interviewed someone who criticized the president. The police also visited the media company's TV studio looking for the journalist.

Plainclothes Police Visit AMH CEO Kenias Mafudzike At Home

Police have launched a manhunt for Heart and Soul TV (HSTV) journalist Blessed Mhlanga, whom they are seeking for questioning.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed on Friday, 21 February, that Mhlanga is wanted in connection with allegations of violating Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
This section pertains to the unlawful transmission of a data message to any individual, group, or the public, with the intent to incite acts of violence using a computer or information system. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is seeking information on the location and subsequent interview of journalist, Blessed Mhlanga.
This is in connection with allegations of contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Anyone with information should contact any nearest Police Station or the National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800197.
</blockquote>
In response to Nyathi on X, Mhlanga said he is not in hiding and will surrender to the police on Monday. He wrote:
<blockquote>
Having read the @PoliceZimbabwe statement, having presented myself twice after being requested. I have called Commissioner Nyathi &amp; assured him that I will be at CID by 9 am on Monday as I am currently unwell. I am not on the run. I have always complied to lawful orders.
</blockquote>
Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, reads as follows:
<blockquote>
Any person who unlawfully by means of a computer or information system makes available, transmits, broadcasts or distributes a data message to any person, group of persons or to the public with intent to incite such persons to commit acts of violence against any person or persons or to cause damage to any property shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 10 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
</blockquote>
On 17 February 2025, three people with pistols reportedly visited the offices of HSTV in Harare, looking for Mhlanga.
Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, contacted the police about the situation and was informed that the summons for Mhlanga had been withdrawn.
Earlier this month, Mhlanga was summoned to Harare Central Police Station by the ZRP Law and Order Section.
Concerned about the police’s intentions, Mhlanga went to the station with Mhike, who is also the External Legal Counsel for MISA Zimbabwe.
It was later revealed that the police wanted to discuss a six-year-old case involving former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe.
The summons followed an interview Mhlanga had conducted with ZANU PF Central Committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who had made critical remarks about President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In the interview, Geza accused Mnangagwa of corruption, nepotism, and failing to address the country’s economic problems, while also calling for his resignation.
On Saturday, HSTV posted a statement on X, quoting Geza as saying that he was safe, not arrested, and not in hiding.

Police are looking for a journalist named Blessed Mhlanga who works for a TV station. They say he broke a law by sending messages that could cause violence. People with guns went to his office looking for him. The police first called him to the station, but then said they made a mistake. The journalist was talking to a man who criticized the president in an interview. The police wanted to talk to him about a case from six years ago involving a former government official. The TV station says the man is safe and not hiding.

HSTV Journalist Wanted By Police Over Alleged Violation Of Criminal Law

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has withdrawn the summons against Heart and Soul TV (HSTV) journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
Three people armed with pistols reportedly visited Mhlanga’s offices in Harare on 17 February 2025 looking for him.
In a post on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on 17 February 2025, Mhlanga said:
<blockquote>
It’s not a laughing matter at all. Three persons armed with pistols came to my office this morning looking for me.
They did not say why they needed me. Then minutes later, I got a call inviting me to Law and Order.
I will be presenting myself to the police with my lawyers 2mrw (tomorrow).
</blockquote>
According to MISA Zimbabwe, Mhlanga’s lawyer Chris Mhike, said he contacted the police over the matter and was told the summons had been withdrawn.
Earlier this month, Mhlanga was summoned to Harare Central Police Station by the ZRP Law and Order Section.
Concerned about the police’s intentions, Mhlanga attended the station accompanied by Mhike, MISA Zimbabwe’s External Legal Counsel.
It was later revealed that the police wanted to discuss the status of a six-year-old case involving former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe.
The summons followed Mhlanga’s interview with ZANU PF Central Committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza, who had been making critical remarks about President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In the interview, Geza accused Mnangagwa of corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and failing to address the country’s economic challenges, while calling for his resignation.
On Saturday, HStv posted a statement on X quoting Geza as saying that he was safe, not arrested, nor in hiding.

The police in Zimbabwe wanted to talk to a journalist named Blessed Mhlanga, but now they have changed their minds and canceled the meeting. Mhlanga had received a summons from the police after interviewing someone who criticized the President. Mhlanga was worried when armed people came to his office looking for him, but now everything seems to be okay. The police just wanted to talk about an old case, not to arrest Mhlanga. So, Mhlanga is safe and not in trouble anymore.

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