TRUTH IS NOT TERRORISM: WHY ZANU PF FEARS THE PEOPLE’S VOICE

The government in Zimbabwe under Emmerson Mnangagwa is now known for punishing anyone who speaks out. When he took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017, he promised big change. But instead of freedom, things got worse. More people are scared. More people are being arrested. There is more silence now than ever.

Journalist Blessed Mhlanga was arrested for doing his job. He interviewed a ZANU PF member, Blessed Geza, who spoke bad things about Mnangagwa. Because of that, Mhlanga was taken by police. They said he was trying to start violence. But he was only reporting the truth.

Mhlanga spent 72 days in prison. He was not a danger to anyone. The state charged him using a law called the Criminal Law Act. They even let the Counter-Terrorism Unit handle the case. That shows the government now sees journalists as enemies. They want to scare other journalists so no one will talk to people who don’t agree with the government.

Mhlanga’s arrest happened just before World Press Freedom Day. His release came three days after that day. It is clear the government did this on purpose. They wanted to look good in the eyes of the world. But they are not really sorry. They still attack people who speak the truth.

This is not the first time something like this has happened. Many journalists in Zimbabwe have been beaten, followed by secret police, or jailed without fair trials. The courts pretend they are fair, but they are not. Mhlanga had to go to court three times just to get bail. Why was he denied before? What changed? Nothing. The truth is, they wanted to punish him.

The people no longer believe the courts. The law is not used to protect anymore. It is used to punish. That tells us who is really in charge. Mnangagwa and ZANU PF are using the law like a weapon. They don’t care about truth or fairness. They only care about power.

In a normal country, getting bail is not something big. It is your right. But in Zimbabwe, it feels like a miracle. Even talking freely now feels like a crime. That is how far things have fallen.

Mhlanga is not truly free. He still has to go to court. The case is still there. That means he is still in danger. Other journalists are watching and thinking the same can happen to them. That is what the government wants. They want everyone to be afraid.

Calling in the “Counter-Terrorism Unit” shows just how far they are willing to go. They treat reporters like terrorists. That is dangerous. When truth becomes a crime, then lies rule the land.

There are many other bad laws now, like the Patriotic Act and Peace and Order Act. These are not for peace. They are made to stop people from speaking. These laws are made to control.

The sad part is that Mnangagwa once needed the media. When Mugabe kicked him out, it was the media that gave him a voice. Now, he turns against that same media. That shows he is not a man of truth. He used the media when it helped him. Now he crushes it when it tells the truth.

As a political activist, I will not be silent. I will not stop writing. I will not stop speaking. I will not let fear win. Bail is not freedom. Until Mhlanga is truly free, none of us are safe. This fight is not over. We must keep pushing. We must keep standing.

Journalism is not a crime. Truth is not terrorism. Zimbabwe will only be free when we all can speak without fear.

It is not yet Uhuru.