HEART & Soul TV senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who is being accused of allegedly transmitting data that is likely to incite public violence, has been denied bail.
Mhlanga had filed his third application for bail yesterday before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei citing changed circumstances. He said new circumstances had arisen during his month-long stay in remand prison.
He submitted the time the State sought to complete investigations had elapsed, adding that the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe declined to prosecute a similar matter involving another journalist.
The NPAZ declined prosecuting Owen "DJ Olla" Madondo, who was arrested for cyber-bullying.
Mhlanga also submitted that March 31, which the State had feared could turn violent, had passed without incident.
His lawyer, Chris Mhike, further submitted that Mhlanga was visited at the remand prison by many people who could be witnesses in the matter.
He said there were no complaints of interference from the State, hence the application to grant Mhlanga bail.
But Ndirowei said the court could not be influenced by a Press release or statement made by NPAZ.
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He added that the State had shown progress in making sure the accused is given a trial date.
“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.
