Britain's Lord Oates demands accountability for Zim journalist's arrest
British politician and member of the House of Lords, Jonny Oates, has demanded accountability regarding the jailing of Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
Mhlanga, a journalist who works at Alpha Media Holdings, has now spent 60 days in detention for interviewing a war veteran, Blessed Geza, who wants President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Lord Oates spoke during a debate on media freedom in the House of Lords on Thursday. He said the Zimbabwean authorities arrested Mhlanga for no other reason than reporting the truth.
'As we speak, the journalist Blessed Mhlanga has been detained for 59 days and denied his constitutional right to bail,' Lord Oates said.
'His crime is having the temerity to conduct an interview with a former war veteran who opposes President Mnangagwa's desire to extend his term in office and has highlighted the criminal corruption of the regime and the President's family.'
He added that he hopes the British government will make it clear that there will be no resumption of normal relations with Zimbabwe while the ZANU-PF regime continues to detain journalists.
Lord Oates urged the Parliamentarians to ask the Zimbabwean First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, about Mhlanga's freedom. Auxillia will speak at a summit in London in June.
'I note that the President's wife is due to speak at a summit in London in June,' Lord Oates noted.
'I hope that Members of our Parliament who are choosing to take part will challenge Zimbabwe's First Lady on the continued detention of Blessed Mhlanga and the overall brutality of the regime she represents.'
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