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Blessed Mhlanga is a flight risk, claims the state
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Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior reporter Blessed Mhlanga will return to court on February 27 for a ruling on his bail application. Mhlanga, who faces charges of transmitting a data message to incite public violence, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr. Farai Gwatima.
The State opposed bail, arguing that Mhlanga is a flight risk and may interfere with witnesses. Prosecutors also claimed that he was likely to commit similar offences if released.
"There is a likelihood that he will commit similar offences. The same machinery he used in the present case that is before the court is yet to be recovered by the police, and procedures to recover the same have commenced," the State argued.
To strengthen its opposition, the State called on Josphat Chitamira from the CID Counter Terrorism Unit, who stated that 10 of the witnesses in the case are Mhlanga's workmates, raising concerns that he could influence them, thereby prejudicing the investigation.
However, Mhlanga's lawyer, Chris Mhike, dismissed the State's arguments, stating that no solid evidence was presented to justify his client's continued detention. He proposed a bail amount of US$100 and assured the court that Mhlanga would reside at his given address and not interfere with State witnesses if granted bail.
The charges against Mhlanga stem from an incident on January 27, when he allegedly recorded a video of Blessed Runesu Geza and shared it on digital platforms, including YouTube and HSTVzimlive.co.zw. The State claims the video contained statements meant to incite public violence.
The court will decide on Mhlanga's bail application on February 27.
The State opposed bail, arguing that Mhlanga is a flight risk and may interfere with witnesses. Prosecutors also claimed that he was likely to commit similar offences if released.
"There is a likelihood that he will commit similar offences. The same machinery he used in the present case that is before the court is yet to be recovered by the police, and procedures to recover the same have commenced," the State argued.
However, Mhlanga's lawyer, Chris Mhike, dismissed the State's arguments, stating that no solid evidence was presented to justify his client's continued detention. He proposed a bail amount of US$100 and assured the court that Mhlanga would reside at his given address and not interfere with State witnesses if granted bail.
The charges against Mhlanga stem from an incident on January 27, when he allegedly recorded a video of Blessed Runesu Geza and shared it on digital platforms, including YouTube and HSTVzimlive.co.zw. The State claims the video contained statements meant to incite public violence.
The court will decide on Mhlanga's bail application on February 27.
Source - The Herald
