Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Denied Bail by High Cou...

Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Denied Bail by High Court

Witness Runodada- Zim Now Reporter

The High Court has dismissed journalist Blessed Mhlanga’s appeal for bail following his arrest on February 24, 2025 on charges of inciting violence.

Presiding over the case, Justice Gibson Mandaza ruled against granting bail, underscoring that bail is not an automatic right but a discretionary privilege determined by specific circumstances.

During the hearing, Mhlanga’s defense team argued that he was constitutionally entitled to bail. However, Justice Mandaza rejected this assertion, stating, “Bail is not absolute but a perception. You can’t just claim you deserve it because the Constitution mentions it.” He emphasized that each case must be assessed on its own merits and cannot be treated as a precedent based on other cases.

A key point raised during the appeal was whether the magistrate had taken into account claims that Mhlanga had fled from Lusaka. Justice Mandaza clarified that this issue would only have been pertinent if bail had been denied based on the risk of flight, which was not cited as the primary reason.

The prosecution also raised concerns over potential interference with witnesses. Acknowledging Mhlanga’s seniority in journalism and the ease of communication afforded by modern technology, the judge noted that appropriate conditions could be set to mitigate any risk of interference. However, this was not enough to sway the court's decision.

Ultimately, the High Court upheld the lower court’s ruling, and Mhlanga will remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.