HSTV Senior Journalist Blessed Mhlanga has finally been granted a US$500 bail by High Court Judge Gibson Mandaza this afternoon after spending 72 days in remand prison.
Mhlanga, who is facing charges of transmitting information likely to cause public violence is coming back for the trial of his case on the 14th of May 2025.
Bail was granted to the journalist on the condition that he pays a refundable US$500 which is more than the initially proposed US$200. Another condition is that he does not change his place of residence whilst awaiting trial.
However, political analysts have said that Mhlanga was not supposed to be arrested at the first place hence his release is not something to be celebrated since it was long overdue.
The government has been receiving pressure both locally and internationally from organisations and activists demanding the release of Mhlanga. UK parliament last week condemned the arrest of the journo citing that journalism was being criminalized in Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga was arrested on 24 February specifically for interviewing an outspoken war veteran, Blessed Geza. In the interviews, Geza called for the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa accusing him of corruption and mismanagement of the country economic funds. Geza is also accusing Mnangagwa of violating the constitution and seeking to extend his presidential term beyond 2028.
