Journalist Mhlanga appeal hearing postponed to Wednesday

The bail appeal hearing for detained Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga, which was scheduled for 10 March 2025 in the High Court, has been postponed to 12 March 2025.

According to his lawyer, Chris Mhike, the State had requested that the bail proceedings be referred to an anti-corruption court.

However, the presiding High Court judge, Justice Mandaza, declined the State’s request after the lawyers argued that the offence Mhlanga is facing is unrelated to corruption.

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This comes after his lawyers appealed to the High Court against Harare Magistrate Farai Gwitima’s decision on 28 February 2025 denying the journalist bail.

The magistrate remanded Mhlanga in custody to 14 March 2025.

In denying him bail, Magistrate Gwitima said it was not in the interest of justice to grant Mhlanga bail as that would be prejudicial to the due administration of justice, peace and security.

He stated that, by virtue of Mhlanga’s position as a senior reporter, the accused was likely to influence his junior colleagues, who are state witnesses.

Mhlanga is facing two counts of contravening Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act which deals with transmitting data messages inciting violence or damage to property.