Journalist’s Health Crisis in Police Custody Raises Fresh Media Freedom Concerns

Zimbo Live reporter Pearlagia Mupurwa was hospitalised after suffering a medical episode while in police custody at Budiriro 2 police station, raising serious concerns about her wellbeing during detention.

The health scare occurred on Thursday after Mupurwa spent the night in custody. Her condition reportedly deteriorated, prompting urgent medical intervention.

Her legal representative, Dumisani Mthombeni, confirmed that she required immediate medical attention and was rushed to a health facility.

Mupurwa was first taken to Glenview Medical Centre, where she was stabilised, before being transferred to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare for further treatment. On arrival, she was admitted to the emergency unit. Details surrounding her medical condition have not been made public.

The incident came a day after Mupurwa’s arrest on allegations of transmitting false data messages with intent to cause harm, an offence cited under the Cyber and Data Protection Act.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe said the charges relate to interviews Mupurwa conducted with residents of Budiriro, who claimed that businessman Steven Mutumhe, also known as Changamira, unlawfully seized a residential property from a local resident.

Mutumhe has rejected the allegations, insisting the published claims were inaccurate and harmful to his reputation.
MISA Zimbabwe confirmed both the journalist’s arrest and subsequent hospitalisation in a statement released on Thursday.

“In a regrettable development, Zimbo Live journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa, who had been detained overnight at Budiriro 2 police station, was admitted to Sally Mugabe Hospital on 5 February 2026 after experiencing a medical emergency,” the organisation said.

The media watchdog added that Mupurwa, accompanied by her lawyer, had complied with police procedures prior to her hospital admission.

“On 5 February 2026, and after being duly warned and cautioned, she submitted her statement to the police with the assistance of her legal counsel,” MISA said.

The organisation strongly criticised the criminalisation of what it described as a professional media dispute, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to press freedom.

“The application of criminal law, including provisions of the Cyber and Data Protection Act, to disputes over journalistic content has a chilling effect on media practice and undermines Section 61 of the Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and media freedom,” the statement read.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) also denounced Mupurwa’s arrest, describing it as a direct assault on press freedom.

“ZUJ is deeply concerned by the arrest and detention of Zimbo Live journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa under allegations of transmitting false data,” the union said in a statement.
The union defended the reporter’s work, noting that gathering and publishing community voices is a fundamental journalistic duty.

“Engaging communities and reporting their claims is central to the work of the media and should not be treated as a criminal act,” ZUJ said, adding that the arrest followed a complaint lodged by Mutumhe over alleged inaccuracies.

ZUJ further warned against the abuse of legal processes by influential individuals seeking to evade accountability.

“Those with power and influence must not use the law as a tool to intimidate journalists, suppress public interest reporting, or insulate themselves from scrutiny,” the statement said.

The union maintained that criminal proceedings are inappropriate for resolving defamation-related disputes.

“Resorting to criminal charges in matters of alleged defamation constitutes a misuse of the law and undermines constitutional freedoms, including the public’s right to information.

“The Cyber and Data Protection Act, in its current form, restricts media operations and requires urgent alignment with democratic standards,” ZUJ added.

As of Thursday, Mupurwa remained under medical supervision, with her condition undisclosed. Her lawyer confirmed that her health remains the immediate priority as legal processes continue.