Zimbabwean journalist granted bail after two months in detention
The court released Mhlanga on $500 (R9 130) bail.
According to ZimLive , the magistrate and the High Court initially denied the Zimbabwean journalist bail two times.
On Tuesday, High Court Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza rejected the prosecution's arguments that Mhlanga would run away once granted bail. The judge ruled that they could prevent him from leaving by setting conditions.
'After hearing submissions by both counsel, this court is of the view that the appellant is entitled to bail,' the judge said.
'The appellant is hereby granted bail. He is ordered to deposit US$500 (R9 130) bail, not US$200 (R3 650) as has been suggested by his counsel.'
Mandaza ordered the journalist to avoid interfering with witnesses. He also instructed him to continue residing at the given address until the end of the matter.
The judge further ordered the journalist to surrender his passport to the clerk of court and to report to the police once every Friday.
Mhlanga, a journalist who works at Alpha Media Holdings, had spent 72 days in detention for interviewing a war veteran, Blessed Geza, who wants President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
News of Mhlanga's arrest sparked widespread condemnation internationally. Adding to the pressure, activists in London, United Kingdom, had made it known they intended to confront the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, during her upcoming conference visit in June.
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
24 hours in pictures, 1 August 2025
24 hours in pictures, 1 August 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. Congress activists burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they protest against the Indo-US trade deal, after the former imposed 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods, during a demonstration in Kolkata on August 1, 2025. President Trump labelled Russia and US ally India 'dead economies,' indicating that his threat to ramp up tariffs on New Delhi will now go ahead. India will face 25 percent tariffs while also announcing an unspecified 'penalty' over New Delhi's purchases of Russian weapons and energy. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP) Participants attend the launch of Ghana's Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act at the Accra International Conference Centre, in Accra, Ghana, 31 July 2025. 31 July marks the official launch of Ghana's Affirmative Action Act which was passed a year ago by Ghana's Parliament. Ghana's Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024, mandates a minimum of 30 percent women's representation across public institutions, increasing to 50 percent by 2030. It also introduces penalties for non-compliance, tax incentives for private sector adherence, and applies to political parties, trade unions, the judiciary, and public agencies. Picture: EPA/FRANK KPORFOR Cowboy boots are seen at the Rio of Mercedes cowboy boot factory, on July 31, 2025, in Mercedes, Texas. In an unusual consequence of Donald Trump's tariffs, cowboy boots 'made in the USA' will suffer from the 30% tariff due to come into force on August 1 targeting South Africa, which produces the overwhelming majority of the ostrich leather so prized for these boots. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (L-R) Silver medallist South Africa's swimmer Pieter Coetze, gold medallist Hungary's swimmer Hubert Kos and bronze medallist France's swimmer Yohann Ndoye-Brouard celebrate on the podium of the men's 200m backstroke swimming event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on August 1, 2025. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP) This handout photo taken over Gaza and released on August 1, 2025 by the Spanish Ministry of Defence shows the release of humanitarian aid from a Spanish Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas airplane over Gaza. (Photo by HANDOUT / Spain Defence Ministry / AFP) Festival-goers attend the first day of the Pol'and'Rock Festival in Czaplinek, north-western Poland, 31 July 2025. The festival will run until 02 August. Picture: EPA/JERZY MUSZYNSKI A fisherman smokes a beedi, a hand-rolled cigarette, as he rests inside his boat on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi on August 1, 2025. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) Hot air balloons are prepared to participate during the celebration of the XXV International Hot Air Balloon Regatta 'Haro, capital of Rioja' and the XLI Spanish Aerostation Championship, in Haro, La Rioja, Spain, 31 July 2025. The events take place from 30 July to 03 August. Picture: EPA/RAQUEL MANZANARES Members of the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people from north-eastern Arnhem Land perform the Bunggul traditional dance during the 25th annual Garma Festival in Gulkula, Northern Territory, Australia, 01 August 2025. Garma Festival, Australia's most significant Indigenous cultural gathering, is held each year on Yolu Country in northeast Arnhem Land, uniting ceremony, community, and national dialogue as it celebrates a significant 25-year milestone in 2025. Picture: EPA/JAMES ROSS Soldiers of the Croatian Armed Forces take part in a military parade in Zagreb, Croatia, 31 July 2025. Croatia marked the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence in August 1995, with a military parade featuring more than 3,500 soldiers and several hundred military vehicles. Picture: EPA/ANTONIO BAT A cosplayer in the character of Zhuge Liang of a video game poses during ChinaJoy, known as China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai on August 1, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) MORE: 24 hours in pictures, 31 July 2025
Mail & Guardian
10 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Ramaphosa says talks with US on tariffs ongoing as measures are delayed for seven days
President Cyril @CyrilRamaphosa/X President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the 30% tariff imposed by the US on South African exports, despite a seven-day reprieve from implementation of the measure which had been set to kick in on Friday. South Africa is among several countries facing punitive tariffs from the US as it moves to protect its own manufacturers and labour force. On Friday, Ramaphosa said his government was finalising a package to support companies that are vulnerable to the reciprocal tariffs, adding that the details would be announced 'in due course'. He said Pretoria had submitted a framework deal to Washington in an effort to strengthen 'mutually beneficial trade and investment ties'. 'South Africa and US trade relations are complementary in nature and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry. Importantly, SA exports to the US contain inputs from the African continent and contribute to intra-Africa trade,' he said. Ramaphosa said his government would pursue all diplomatic avenues to safeguard the country's national interests. 'It is important that, as a country, we keep our people at work and our companies producing some of the high-quality products destined for many parts of the world.' Trump's administration claims that a lack of reciprocity in trade relations has eroded the US's manufacturing base, disrupted supply chains and weakened its defence industrial base. Earlier this week, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said South Africa It has set up an export support desk as part of a diversification strategy 'to create resilience' in the economy. The desk is collaborating with export councils, industry associations and major exporters to the US to assist in accessing alternative markets. 'We also want to reiterate that we have no intention of decoupling from the United States either. Our view is that negotiations remain the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table,' it said. Pretoria is still waiting for a response from Washington on its proposed framework deal, which includes substantial trade and investment incentives. These include the import of between 750 and Other elements include the import of US blueberries and a commitment by South Africa to invest $3.3 billion in US industries such as mining, metals recycling, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and The deal includes exemptions from reciprocal tariffs in key sectors, including shipbuilding, counter-seasonal agriculture and exports by micro, small and medium enterprises with annual exports of less than $1 million. The trade department said it had been in 'intense negotiations' with the US and had signed a condition precedent document, with inputs ready for inclusion in a template expected from Washington. 'Despite the challenges that have been presented by this period, we have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks that have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios,' it said.
eNCA
10 hours ago
- eNCA
Operation Dudula and March&March protest in Durban
DURBAN - Members of Operation Dudula and March & March are calling for mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals. They say government officials found selling fraudulent documents must be arrested and prosecuted. The civil rights groups led a protest to keep undocumented migrants from accessing healthcare services. The two groups handed over a memorandum of demands to the High Court in Durban.
