Journalist Mhlanga bail ruling Monday 

Harare Magistrate Donald Ndirowei will deliver his ruling on Monday, April 7, 2025, regarding the bail application of detained Alpha Media Holdings senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga.

On April 4, 2025, Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, applied for bail due to changed circumstances, including the passage of time.  

He argued that during the journalist’s initial court appearance on 25 February 2025, the investigating officer indicated that he needed 14 days to complete investigations.

Mhike also cited that the security risk referenced by the magistrate in the initial bail application no longer exists. 

According to Mhike, the State opposed the application arguing that the factors cited by the defence do not constitute changed circumstances.

Magistrate Ndirowei reserved his ruling to Monday, 7 April 2025. 

Mhlanga faces two counts of violating Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which addresses the transmission of data messages that incite violence or damage to property.

background

This comes after Justice Gibson Mandaza on 21 March 2025 denied Mhlanga’s application for bail saying the State had a compelling case against him.

Mhike had appealed to the High Court against Magistrate Farai Gwitima’s decision on 28 February 2025, denying the journalist bail.

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