By Tinotenda Hove

Harare Magistrate Farai Gwatima has remanded journalist Blessed Mhlanga in custody until March 14, 2025, after denying him bail. The magistrate justified the decision by arguing that releasing the accused could disrupt national peace and security, potentially inciting unrest.

Mhlanga, a reporter with Alpha Media Holdings and HStv platform, has been targeted by State Security agents due to his investigative work interviewing political figures.

Mhlanga was arrested on February 24, 2025, and charged under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. Authorities claim that he transmitted messages inciting violence, allegedly linked to interviews with war veterans’ leader Blessed Geza and others.

The police investigation centers on interviews conducted on January 27, 2025, and February 11, 2025, in which Geza, a former liberation war veteran and Zanu PF central committee member, allegedly made inflammatory statements. During the interrogation, police focused on Mhlanga’s role as a journalist and Geza’s press conferences.

Mhlanga’s lawyer expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating:

“While we respect the court’s decision, we strongly disagree with its conclusions. We have been instructed to appeal this decision immediately. Despite the shock of this ruling, Blessed remains strong, resolute, and committed to the cause of press freedom. He is particularly concerned about the impact of continued detention on his studies at the University of Zimbabwe. We now begin the task of placing the appeal before a higher court in hopes of a better outcome.”

The legal team is set to challenge the ruling…