Harare – Heart & Soul TV senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga remains behind bars after being denied bail in a case where he is accused of transmitting data likely to incite public violence.
This comes as a Rusape man, Alfred Ngonidzaishe Machakaire, has spent close to a month in custody for allegedly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa and expressing support for war veteran Blessed Runesu Geza.
Mhlanga’s arrest followed his coverage of press conferences held by Blessed Geza, the now self-exiled former Zanu PF central committee member and war veteran who has recently gained notoriety for his spirited calls for an uprising against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mhlanga yesterday filed his third application for bail before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei, citing changed circumstances that had arisen during his month-long stay in remand prison. He argued that the time the State sought to complete investigations had elapsed and that the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) had declined to prosecute a similar matter involving another journalist.
The NPAZ had declined to prosecute Owen “DJ Olla” Madondo, who was arrested for cyber-bullying. Mhlanga further submitted that March 31, which the State had feared could turn violent, had passed without incident. His lawyer, Chris Mhike, also submitted that Mhlanga was visited at the remand prison by many people who could be witnesses in the matter, and there were no complaints of interference from the State, hence the application to grant Mhlanga bail.
However, magistrate Ndirowei dismissed the application, stating that the court could not be influenced by a Press release or statement made by NPAZ. “This court is not bound by a mere Press release or statement by NPAZ and the decision on Madondo’s case is neither here nor there, but this court’s view is that there is no need to give him bail based on the Madondo decision,” Ndirowei said. He postponed the matter to April 22 for a possible trial date. Mhlanga was recently denied bail by the High Court.
Appearing for the State, Anesu Chirenje said investigations were almost complete, adding that the state is ready for trial. Mhlanga will be back in court on April 22 for possible furnishing of a trial date. This marks the third time his application has been turned down by the courts, based on fears that his release will trigger civil unrest. His lawyers are preparing an application for direct access to the Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, Alfred Ngonidzaishe Machakaire (34) remains in custody, charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa, as defined in Section 33(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Machakaire, who resides in Gowo village in Inyati, Makoni district, Manicaland province, has spent a combined 26 days in custody.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which is representing Machakaire, said the allegations against their client stem from a verbal altercation with Zanu PF Councillor Leonard Chidemo at a bar in Chendambuya after Chidemo refused to buy him beer.
“Prosecutors said Machakaire, who is represented by Leonard Chigadza of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, undermined the authority of or insulted President Mnangagwa by uttering the following words: ‘You, Chidemo, down with Mnangagwa! I am Geza! On the 31st, the country will be fine. Mnangagwa is a …(genital organ). You have caused the death of people in the country,’” ZLHR said.
Geza had called for protests on March 31 to demand Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation; however, the highly anticipated demonstrations largely turned into a nationwide stay-away. Machakaire is one of several people who have been arrested and prosecuted across Zimbabwe for allegedly undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
Machakaire’s ordeal began on 24 February 2025 when he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers. According to prosecutors, Machakaire undermined the authority of and insulted President Mnangagwa when he was involved in a verbal altercation with Leonard Chidemo, the Zanu PF Councillor for Ward 5 in Makoni North constituency in Makoni District in Manicaland. The incident occurred at Mugadza Bottle Store at Runyange Business Centre in Chendambuya, where Machakaire allegedly asked Chidemo to buy him some beer.
When Chidemo reportedly told Machakaire that he did not have money to buy him beer, Machakaire allegedly became agitated and started shouting at the Zanu PF Councillor, uttering the words that led to his arrest. Prosecutors claim that Machakaire acted unlawfully when he allegedly uttered the insulting words and also praised Geza, a veteran of the liberation war and a Zanu PF central committee member who was recently expelled from the ruling political party.
