By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Blessed Mhlanga, a senior journalist with Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), was remanded in custody on February 25, 2025, following charges of transmitting data messages allegedly inciting public violence.
Mhlanga is set to have a bail ruling on February 27, 2025.
Mhlanga appeared before Magistrate Farai Gwitima, with the prosecution represented by Ruvimbo Matyatya and Tafadzwa Jambawo.
His legal counsel, Chris Mhike, challenged the State’s opposition to bail, arguing that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to justify Mhlanga’s detention.
The State countered by calling Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Chitambira, who leads the Criminal Investigations Counter-Terrorism Unit.
In response to the State’s stance, Mhike remarked, “The Zimbabwean State seems to be treating the practice of journalism as terrorism.”
He further criticized the politicization and criminalization of journalism in the country.
The prosecution also expressed concerns that Mhlanga might interfere with witnesses and that the potential severity of his sentence could lead him to flee.
Mhlanga was charged on February 24, 2025, with two counts of contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly inciting violence or property damage through transmitted data messages.
The charges stem from Mhlanga’s interviews with war veteran Blessed Geza on January 27, 2025, and February 11, 2025, during which he reportedly relayed Geza’s messages via YouTube and HSTV, deemed to incite violence.
The case continues to draw attention to the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Zimbabwe, amidst concerns over media freedom and the treatment of press members by state authorities.