The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is alarmed and outraged by the escalating assault on freedom of expression, assembly, and access to information across Southern Africa. The arrest of Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga for merely carrying out his journalistic duties is yet another example of the increasing repression faced by media professionals. His detention underscores a growing trend of state-sanctioned harassment, intimidation, and censorship aimed at silencing critical voices and eroding democratic principles. This must stop.
This attack on press freedom does not occur in isolation. Across the region, we are witnessing a disturbing pattern of crackdowns, whether through the arbitrary detention of journalists, restrictive laws targeting free speech, or the aggressive spread of disinformation and propaganda to manipulate public discourse. From the suppression of independent voices in Eswatini and the intimidation and harassment of journalists in Namibia to the violent repression of journalists in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, governments are systematically dismantling the very foundations of democracy.
On the other hand, disinformation and propaganda have become powerful tools in this battle against truth and accountability. Instead of ensuring transparency and upholding human rights, many governments use state-controlled media and online platforms to distort narratives, delegitimise independent journalism, and mislead the public. This manipulation of information does not just stifle dissent; it fosters fear, polarises societies, and weakens democratic institutions. As academics and experts have recently shared on a webinar, when journalists are silenced, societies are deprived of critical information, and the foundations of democracy are eroded.
We unequivocally condemn these ongoing violations and call for Blessed Mhlanga’s immediate and unconditional release. We further demand that governments across the region cease their attacks on the press and uphold their obligations under international human rights law. Press freedom is non-negotiable; it is a fundamental pillar of democracy that ensures accountability, fosters an informed citizenry, and protects against state overreach.
We also call on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take decisive action by publicly condemning these persistent violations and holding member states accountable. Regional bodies must move beyond rhetoric and actively work to repeal oppressive laws, protect journalists from persecution, and create an environment where independent media can thrive.
Civil society organisations, media practitioners, and the global community should redouble their efforts to defend press freedom. To preserve democracy, the fight against censorship, disinformation, and propaganda must be intensified. We must stand in solidarity with those risking their lives to report the truth and resist attempts to silence independent journalism.
The time for action is now. If we fail to respond to this growing wave of repression, we risk allowing democracy to be swallowed by fear, misinformation, and state-sponsored coercion. We stand with Blessed Mhlanga and all journalists fighting for truth and accountability. The battle for free expression is far from over, but together, we must ensure it is never lost.
By Melusi Simelane, Civic Rights Programme Manager.
