By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Zimbo Live journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa suffered a health scare while in police custody at Budiriro 2 police station after being detained overnight.
She experienced a medical emergency on Thursday, prompting urgent intervention as concerns grew over her welfare in detention.
Her lawyer, Dumisani Mthombeni, confirmed that she had to be rushed for urgent medical attention.
Mupurwa was initially taken to Glenview Medical Centre for stabilisation before being referred to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.
Upon arrival, she was rushed to the emergency rooms for further treatment.
Her medical condition has not been disclosed for ethical reasons.
The health emergency occurred a day after Mupurwa had been arrested and detained overnight over charges of transmitting false data messages intending to cause harm, in terms of the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe, the charges stem from interviews Mupurwa conducted with Budiriro residents who alleged that businessman Steven Mutumhe, popularly known as Changamira, forcibly took a residential property from a Harare man.
Mutumhe has denied the allegations, claiming the information published was false and damaging to his character.
In a statement, MISA Zimbabwe confirmed both the arrest and the subsequent medical emergency.
“In a sad turn of events, Zimbo Live journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa, who had been arrested and detained overnight at Budiriro 2 police station, was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare on 5 February 2026 after experiencing a medical emergency,” read the statement.
The organisation added that Mupurwa, who is represented by lawyer Mthombeni, had complied with police procedures prior to her hospitalisation.
“Meanwhile, on 5 February 2026, Mupurwa, assisted by her lawyer, submitted her statement to the police, having been duly warned and cautioned,” read the statement.
MISA Zimbabwe strongly criticised the use of criminal law in what it described as a dispute over journalistic work, warning of broader implications for media freedom.
“Using criminal law, such as the Cyber and Data Protection Act, in a dispute over the accuracy of a media report has a chilling effect on journalism, as it effectively criminalises journalistic work in violation of Section 61 of the Constitution, which guarantees media freedom and freedom of expression,” further read the statement.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), in a statement issued on Thursday, also condemned Mupurwa’s arrest and detention, describing it as an attack on press freedom.
“ZUJ is saddened to learn of the arrest and detention of Zimbo Live journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa under the Cyber and Data Protection Act for allegedly transmitting false data,” read the statement.
The union defended Mupurwa’s work, stressing that reporting community claims falls squarely within the role of the media.
“Interviewing communities and reporting their claims is a core media function, not a criminal offence.
“She was arrested following a report made by businessman Steven Mutumhe who alleges inaccuracies in Pearlagia’s interview with community members,” read the ZUJ statement.
ZUJ warned against the misuse of the law by powerful individuals to silence scrutiny.
“Members of society who wield power and influence should not weaponise the law to intimidate journalists, silence public interest reporting, and shield themselves from public scrutiny,” read the statement.
The union further argued that criminal charges are inappropriate in cases involving alleged defamation.
“Using criminal charges to resolve disputes over alleged defamation is a clear abuse of the law and a direct attack on media freedom, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to know.
“The Cyber and Data Protection Act, in its current form, gags the media and violates constitutional rights,” read the statement.
“It must be urgently reviewed and aligned with democratic principles.
“Disputes over reputational harm belong in civil courts, not police cells,” further read the statement.
By Thursday, Mupurwa remained under medical care, with her condition undisclosed.
Her lawyer confirmed that priority was being given to her health as legal processes continue.
