Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Finally Granted Bail After Spending 72 Days In Remand Prison

Heart & Soul Television (HStv) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga was granted bail on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, after spending 72 days at Harare Remand Prison.

Mhlanga had previously been denied bail on three occasions following his arrest on February 24, 2025, after interviewing former war veteran Blessed Geza, who had called for nationwide protests and the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The State accused Mhlanga of transmitting material intended to incite public violence.

On Tuesday, High Court Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza granted Mhlanga bail of US$500 on his second application, citing changed circumstances in the journalist’s case.

Mhlanga was ordered to report to the CID Law and Order section at Harare Central Police Station every Friday and was instructed not to interfere with State witnesses.

His lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, taking instructions from Chris Mhike, had urged the judge to grant the journalist bail, submitting that there were indeed changed circumstances.

Mpofu argued that the charge of transmitting material with the intent to incite violence was linked to specific events, and that Mhlanga was merely a journalist who conducted an interview and reported the responses given. He said:

So if there is an allegation that material meant to incite violence was transmitted the time of the protests has come and gone.

There was a call for a national shut down, but people went on with their business. What is alleged by the State to be the transmission of inciting messages has come and gone.

What has not come and gone is the continuity of the incarceration of the appellant in jail. Part of the reasons for denying bail was that there might be disturbance of peace, disturbance in connection with the event.

Mpofu argued that there was no violence in the country, adding that even the judge, being a Zimbabwean, would have observed this.

He noted that there is a pending legal challenge at the Constitutional Court, which could potentially change the entire case, depending on the outcome.

Mhlanga has filed an application seeking direct access to the Constitutional Court, arguing that his arrest and charges were unlawful.

In opposing the bail application, prosecutor Fungai Nyahunzvi argued that there is electronic and video evidence linking Mhlanga to the alleged offence.

He further argued that the claim Mhlanga had not interfered with witnesses was irrelevant and “does not change the complexion of the case.” Said Nyahunzvi:

The fear is still being held. Trial date has now been given. One circumstance that has changed is that there has been passage of time, which has given the State time to prepare for trial and now we are saying we are now ready for trial.

If we had not done so, maybe the argument that they have failed to give us a trial date would have helped their case.

More: NewsDay

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