Incarcerated Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga spent another night in jail after his bail application ruling was postponed to Friday.
Mhlanga was arrested Tuesday after presenting himself at Harare Central Police Station with his lawyer, Chris Mhike. He is charged under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, facing allegations of disseminating information that could incite violence or lead to property damage.
Stand-in magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa stated in court Thursday that the magistrate who presided over Mhlanga’s bail application, Farai Gwatima, is currently dealing with a family bereavement.
“Magistrate Farai Gwatima, who heard Mhlanga’s application for bail, is attending a bereavement,” Gofa said.
The charges relate to Mhlanga granting an interview to Blessed Geza, a war veteran and a staunch opponent of the Mnangagwa 2030 agenda.
Geza had issued press briefings through AMH broadcaster HSTv, where Mhlanga is the head of broadcast, calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign from office immediately.
Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, urged the court to grant him bail, arguing that journalism is not a crime.
