Mhlanga remanded in custody

Mhlanga remanded in custody

Court Reporter

Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior reporter Blessed Mhlanga who is facing charges of transmitting data message inciting public violence will be back to court on February 27 for bail ruling.

He appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Farai Gwatima. The State opposed bail on the basis that Mhlanga is a flight risk and is likely to interfere with witnesses.

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,” said the State in opposing bail.

In opposing bail the State called Josphat Chitamira from CID Counter Terrorism Unit , who said there are 10 witnesses who are Mhlanga’s workmates hence his fear is that he will influence them which will prejudice the investigation.

In response Mr Mhike said the State failed to proffer evidence on why his client is not a proper candidate for bail.

He proposed bail in the sum of US$100 and for Mhlanga to reside at his given address. Mr Mhike also said his client can also be ordered not to interfere with any State witnesses.

It is alleged that on January 27 this year by Mhlanga used a computer to record a video of one Blessed Runesu Geza and made the video available to members of the public by transmitting and broadcasting the video through an internet platform called

YouTube,HSTVzimlive.co.zw. intending to incite members of the public to commit acts of violence.

The court heard that the broadcasted videos contained statements intended to incite members of the public to commit public violence in Zimbabwe. The accused was deemed to have acted unlawfully.