Alpha Media Holdings journalist Blessed Mhlanga has filed an appeal at the High Court following last week’s decision to deny him bail by a Harare magistrate.
In the application, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) which is representing the prominent journalist, said magistrate Farai Gwitima erred in denying him bail.
“We have amplified our efforts to secure freedom for Mhlanga by filing an appeal at High Court against Harare Magistrate Farai Gwitima’s decision to deny bail to the senior journalist.
“In the appeal, our lawyer Chris Mhike, argued that magistrate Gwitima grossly erred and misdirected himself in denying bail to Mhlanga late last month as there were no compelling reasons to justify Mhlanga’s continued incarceration,” said ZLHR.
Mhlanga is accused of inciting violence through broadcasts of firebrand war veteran and nemesis to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Blessed Geza on the publication’s broadcast unit HStv.
Geza, now in hiding, has slammed Mnangagwa for corruption and poor leadership while demanding his exit from power.
Mhlanga handed himself after police announced in a statement they were looking for him in connection with “distributing content deemed harmful to the State”.
When he appeared in court, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposed his bail application, telling the court that Mhlanga was likely to interfere with police investigations.
Prosecutor Ruvimbo Matyatya said Mhlanga was likely to intimidate his subordinates whom they intend to call as witnesses in his case.
Gwatima concurred with the state ruling that Mhlanga’s release could jeopardise peace and security in the country.
