Nkosile Khumalo
Alpha Media Holdings Senior journalist has been denied bail this afternoon by magistrate Farai Gwatima. He is feared to stir nation unrest and his bail grant would undermine the nation’s peace and security.
“The release of the accused would put the nation in unrest and undermine peace and security,” Gwatima said.
Mhlanga is remanded in custody until the 14th of March at 08.30. This leaves Mhlanga with an option of appealing to the Harare High Court for a bail hearing.
Mhlanga is accused of broadcasting information that incites violence or cause public unrest. The charges emulate from his interview with Blessed Geza, a warm veteran who’s been criticizing the second republic.
“It is not just to grant bail to the applicant based on the message he disseminated that threatens public peace,” says Gwatima.
Mhlanga’s case gained media traction from Monday, with various media practitioners questioning the freedom of information bill recently passed, as well as hashtags on X (formerly Twitter) ‘JournalismIsNotACrime’
“It is saddening, it is heartbreaking, but it is to be expected,” said Trevor Ncube, the CEO of Alpha Media Holdings.
