Journalist Madzikatidze granted bail

Journalist Gideon Madzikatidze, employed by Bulawayo24, has been granted bail following a successful appeal to the High Court in Harare on the grounds of changed circumstances.

The ruling on his bail appeal was delivered and granted on 15 May 2026 by High Court judge Justice Rodgers Manyangadze.

Madzikatidze, who had been in custody since his arrest on 18 February 2026, sought bail on the grounds that the State had failed to provide a trial date following the dismissal of his previous bail application at the Magistrates Court.

On 23 April 2026, Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo dismissed Madzikatidze’s bail application on the basis of changed circumstances arising from the State’s failure to provide a trial date.

Bail Conditions:

Payment of US$500 bail deposit at the Magistrates Court.

Surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court.

Not interfere with investigations or witnesses.

Continue residing at his given address pending finalisation of the matter.

background

Madzikatidze is facing two charges:

Contravening Section 7 (1) as read with subsection 4 (b) of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06] (providing a broadcasting service without a licence).

Cyberbullying as defined in Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].