Gideon Madzikatidze, a journalist for Bulawayo24 News, has been arraigned before a Harare magistrate on charges of broadcasting without a licence and cyber-bullying, over a news article alleging bribery of the media at Geo Pomona Waste Management.
A journalist employed by the online news outlet Bulawayo24.com will spend the weekend in custody pending bail hearing on Monday, after being charged with two criminal offences arising from the publication of an article alleging that Geo Pomona Waste Management bribed media practitioners to suppress scrutiny of the firm's operations.
Gideon Madzikatidze, 36, of Southgate, Ushewokunze, Harare, appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court this Friday and bail hearing was set for Monday. He faces charges filed by CID Law and Order Harare under docket DR 04/12/25, with the matter also registered as Marlborough CR 165/12/25.
Count One — Broadcasting Without a Licence: Contravening section 7(1) read with subsection 4(b) of the Broadcasting Services Act, Chapter 12:06. The state alleges that between 15 and 16 December 2025, Madzikatidze conducted internet-based broadcasting through the Bulawayo24 News website without holding a broadcasting licence.
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Count Two — Cyber-Bullying: As defined under section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. The state alleges he posted a data message with intent to intimidate, harass, bully, cause substantial emotional distress, and degrade and humiliate Geo-Pomona Waste Management Company and its Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Dilesh Nguwaya is the CEO and executive chairman of Geo Pomona Waste Management.
The article in question, titled "Geo-Pomona Boss Bribes Journalists, Editors To Evade Scrutiny," was published on Bulawayo24's website. The state's case outline notes that the full script of the article has been attached as Annexure A.
The complainant in Count One is the state. In Count Two, the complainant is listed as Geo-Pomona Waste Management Company, represented by Dorothea Moyo. The state contends that the publication was designed to intimidate and humiliate both the company and its chief executive officer personally.
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