HARARE – High Court of Zimbabwe judge Justice Gibson Mandaza has denied bail to Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who faces charges of transmitting messages that allegedly incite public violence.
Critics argue that Mhlanga, who was arrested on February 24, is being unfairly targeted and that the charges are meant to intimidate other journalists from publishing or interviewing dissenting voices.
The charges stem from videos Mhlanga allegedly published showing war veteran and former Zanu-PF Central Committee member Blessed Geza, who opposes an extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure. The state claimed that the videos had the potential to incite public violence.
Harare magistrate Farai Gwitima initially denied Mhlanga bail, citing concerns that he might interfere with witnesses. Mhlanga’s legal team appealed this decision to the High Court, arguing that the lower court had erred.
Judge Mandaza, in his ruling on Friday, addressed the defense’s argument that the magistrate’s fears of witness interference were unfounded, stating, “In this day and age he can use technology.”
The judge further stated that the messages in question contained “undertones of violent messages aimed at the President and police officers.”
Justice Mandaza said that the charge against Mhlanga was for “transmitting data messages leading to incitement of violence,” and that “it is not an essential element of the offence that the violence must have occurred.”
He also dismissed the defense’s argument that Mhlanga was being punished for Geza’s words. Justice Mandaza said that Mhlanga is charged with the act of transmission, not authorship.
“Whether the words were uttered by Blessed Geza or someone else, it doesn’t change the nature of the charge,” the judge stated.
The Judge stated that the question of whether the state has sufficient evidence to prove the transmission of the content will be addressed during the trial.
Justice Mandaza went on to deny Mhlanga bail.
“After a careful assessment and examination I did not find any misdirection, the appeal cannot succeed, and the decision is that the appeal by appellant against the decision of the magistrate court be dismissed in its entirety,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Geza is a freeman. He recently addressed the nation through a YouTube Live calling for an uprising against Mnangagwa to be conducted on 31 March.
Geza claims to be aligned to a Zanu-PF faction that is linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
The captured judiciary system status is now now fully in the open..