Top journalist Blessed Mhlanga bail ruling postponed to Friday
the magistrate who initially heard the case was conspicuous by his absence, his fellow learned colleague read the postponement
Harare – Harare magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa on Thursday postponed the bail ruling of Alpha Media journalist, Blessed Mhlanga who is facing two charges of transmitting data messages to incite public violence,Express Mail Zim can report.
Gofa said the bail ruling will be passed at 12 midday on Friday.
She read the ruling on behalf of the initial presiding magistrate who was conspicuous by his absence.
The prosecution accuses Mhlanga of recording a video in January of war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
The State alleges the videos were intended to incite members of the public to commit violence.
“It is clear that Mnangagwa has failed. He is not fit to run this country and his time to go is now. We ask him to go peacefully. If he refuses to take heed of this advice, we have no option but to ask the people of Zimbabwe to deal with a rogue President… You think we are fools, go peacefully…if you think this is a joke it’s your fault, resign peacefully,”Geza says in one of the videos.
The other charge involves a video posted on HStv in February had Geza warning police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba not to order arrests and to shoot people if protests erupt.
The court room was full to the brim with several journalists, politicians, activists and ordinary people in attendance acting in solidarity.
Alpha Media Czar Trevor Ncube unfortunately failed to make it on the two hearings raising murmurs of neglect from some sectors of the society although he is not bound by any obligation of a physical attendance to his employee’s court case.
Chief Executive Kenias Mafukidze was however in attendance on the initial court appearance.
Mhlanga who has denied the charges he is facing, was arrested on Monday and made an initial court appearance Tuesday where he was remanded in custody.
Mhlanga’s lawyer Chris Mhike, the prosecutors are Ruvimbo Matyatya and Takudzwa Jambawo.
The Harare magistrates court was heavily guarded by riot police when the court set to postpone Mhlanga’s case .
