Harare – Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga was on Tuesday granted US$500 bail after spending over two months in pre-trial detention.
The court ruling follows a protracted legal battle marked by multiple failed attempts to secure his release.
Mhlanga, a respected journalist affiliated with Alpha Media Holdings and Heart & Soul TV, was arrested in February 2025.
Authorities charged him with transmitting messages deemed to incite public violence. The charges stem from his coverage of press briefings by ex- ZANU PF central committee member and war veteran, Blessed Geza, who publicly called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation.
Throughout his detention, the state opposed bail, arguing that Mhlanga’s release could cause unrest or interfere with witnesses. However, his legal team highlighted delays in the investigation and the emotional toll his continued incarceration was having on his family and professional responsibilities.
On May 6, the court finally ruled in his favor, setting conditions for his release including the US$500 bail amount and orders to refrain from interfering with witnesses or engaging in similar media activities related to the case.
The case has drawn national and international attention, with press freedom organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemning his detention and urging Zimbabwean authorities to respect journalistic independence.
While Mhlanga’s release is a welcome development, his case continues to cast a shadow over media freedoms in Zimbabwe, with observers calling for broader protections for journalists operating in politically sensitive contexts.
Geza has called for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down accused the veteran ruler of corruption and nepotism.