Harare – Senior journalist Blessing Mhlanga has been granted bail by the Harare High Court after spending 72 days in remand prison without trial on charges of publishing information allegedly likely to incite public violence.
Justice Gibson Mandaza presided over the matter on 6 May 2025, ruling that Mhlanga be released on bail of US$500, citing changed circumstances since his initial detention.
In his judgement, Justice Mandaza ordered that Mhlanga must not interfere with state witnesses and must surrender his passport. He is also required to report to the police once every Friday and reside at his given address for the duration of the proceedings.
“The bail appeal was allowed. He's been admitted to bail. Certain conditions have been imposed,” said Tabani Mpofu, legal counsel for Mhlanga. “The judge said he must pay a recognisance of US$500, reside at his stated address, report once every Friday at CID, not interfere with witnesses, and surrender his passport.”
Mhlanga’s prolonged detention without trial had attracted growing criticism from press freedom advocates, who argue that the case represents an attempt to intimidate journalists and curtail freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.
[post_ads]Advocacy groups including the Zimbabwe Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) had earlier expressed alarm over what they described as the state’s “weaponisation of the law” to silence critical voices in the media.
“Holding a journalist in custody for over two months without trial over charges related to reporting is not only unjust but a blatant assault on media freedom,” said a MISA spokesperson last month.
According to court filings, Mhlanga was accused of disseminating information deemed to have the potential to incite public disorder. However, critics claim the charges lack merit and reflect a broader pattern of state harassment of the press.
[post_ads_2]Mhlanga, a senior reporter with the Alpha Media Holdings-owned HSTV, had been held at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison since his arrest in February. His legal team repeatedly challenged the denial of bail, arguing that there were no substantial grounds to justify continued detention.
His release is being seen as a small but significant victory for press freedom campaigners, though concerns remain about the broader environment for media professionals in the country.
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