Voices Behind Bars: Zimbabwean Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Shares Prison Life

By Staff Reporter

In a letter written with tremendous emotional depth and delivered from deep within the confines of the walls of the Harare Remand Prison, after bail had been denied, Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga presented a nail-biting observation of his 41-day captivity. Written on April 7, 2025, and dedicated to “friends and fellow Zimbabweans,” the letter sketches a vivid contrast of physical affliction, inner turmoil, and unbreakable devotion to work against unimaginable adversity.

Mhlanga, sick with bad flu, details his dismal cell environment, which accommodates little rest but for it to be a privilege conflicting with “deep thoughts and lice.” He deplores the State’s insistence on persistent attempts to maintain his incarceration behind, charging impunity against constitutional protections of his arrest for what he labels “the sins of freedoms, particularly that of expression.” Somewhat scarily, he indicates his detention to the “D class section with most dangerous criminals.”

The reporter does not mince words in explaining the mental burden of his incarceration. “It’s a journey filled with frustrations and pain which at times overwhelms me to tears, anger and pushes me to the edge of emotional breakdown,” he admits. It comes to this, Mhlanga has to spread the burden on his support system, admitting to taking it out on his lawyers, journalism colleagues, employer, and even his own family members.

“Prison dear friends is a dark place it taints the soul and clouds one’s judgement,” he states, pointing to the isolation and despair which can distort vision. He refers to the “curse” of the prison walls erected in another age but somehow still in operation to stifle dissent.

In spite of the deep hurt and feeling of being “lost and sadly broken,” Mhlanga’s spirit is not broken. He recognizes the long-term harm of this experience but asserts, “It’s a terrible battle which however I can’t afford to lose. It’s not easy to keep going but I have no choice to quit nor the desire to stop.”

An ardent declaration of the value of solidarity, Mhlanga is profoundly thankful for the solidarity he has experienced. “Honestly I can’t imagine how I would have survived without your voices of solidarity and love,” he declares. He particularly values the monetary donations given under a GoFundMe appeal set up by fellow reporter Hopewell Chin’ono, noting the £4000 raised has continued to keep his kids at school and provide them with food, sparing him from the “sad story of food fed to fellow prisoners here” – money he defines as practically not worth eating.

Emotionally drained, Mhlanga speaks of tears of happiness and determination, “watered by the blood of your sacrifices and support.” He gives his heartfelt thanks, stating this support to have been crucial in seeing him through this test.

Closing his letter, Blessed Mhlanga declares his strong determination in the reporting line of work. “In pain, I remain unshaken and committed to my profession of choice,” he announces steadfastly, reiterating his conviction in the superordinate importance of common people to that of powers.

Mhlanga’s letter is a moving reminder of the perilous terrain on which journalists work in much of the globe, intimidated and jailed for doing nothing more than their obligation to inform the public. His words resonate in the wider battles for press freedom and the essential necessity of solidarity in defending those who sacrifice their freedom to preserve it. His ongoing detention highlights the need for stronger protections for journalists and a commitment to defending freedom of expression as a universal human right. Blessed Mhlanga will be back in court on the 22nd of April,2025.