THE bail ruling for Blessed Mhlanga, the senior Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) journalist arrested on allegations of inciting violence, is expected to be made today.
The ruling was expected to be delivered on Thursday, but Magistrate Farai Gwitima, who was scheduled to deliver the decision, attended a funeral.
Mhlanga was arrested on Monday, accused of inciting violence following an interview with war veteran and Zanu PF member Blessed Geza on Heart and Soul TV (HSTV).
Geza, now in hiding, criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for corruption and incompetence, calling for his resignation.
Mhlanga’s detention under Section 164 of the Criminal Law Code has sparked national outrage, with media organisations and rights groups condemning it as an attack on press freedom.
Section 61 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and media, while Section 62 ensures access to information. Critics argue that Mhlanga’s arrest contradicts these constitutional provisions.
Njabulo Ncube of the Zimbabwe National Editors Forum highlighted the hypocrisy, noting that Information minister Jenfan Muswere recently claimed no journalists had been arrested under the current administration.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe have condemned the arrest, calling it an assault on democracy and press freedom.
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Media expert Mlondolozi Ndlovu dismissed the charges as unfounded, emphasising that Mhlanga merely provided a platform for dialogue.
Constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku criticised the arrest as baseless, urging the National Prosecuting Authority to drop the case.
The incident has raised concerns about Zimbabwe’s commitment to media freedom and its international reputation.
