A judge freed journalist Blessed Mhlanga on bail after he spent more than two months in jail. The court set bail at $500 instead of the $200 his lawyer had asked for. Mhlanga works at HSTV radio, where he interviewed former lawmaker Blessed Geza, who wanted President Mnangagwa to step down. Justice Mandaza said keeping Mhlanga locked up made no sense after such a long time.
The government claimed Mhlanga caused trouble when he aired talks with Geza, who often wears army clothes during online speeches. Officials arrested almost 100 people after cities shut down during the protests Geza called for on March 31. Mhlanga will face trial starting May 14, and his radio station will also face charges.
Human rights groups say Mnangagwa has been unfairly arresting critics since he took power in 2017. The arrests come as the ruling party, Zanu PF, splits between those who want the 83-year-old leader to stay past 2028 and others who support Vice President Chiwenga. The military might decide who wins this power struggle, just like when they helped remove Robert Mugabe years ago.
The government claimed Mhlanga caused trouble when he aired talks with Geza, who often wears army clothes during online speeches. Officials arrested almost 100 people after cities shut down during the protests Geza called for on March 31. Mhlanga will face trial starting May 14, and his radio station will also face charges.
Human rights groups say Mnangagwa has been unfairly arresting critics since he took power in 2017. The arrests come as the ruling party, Zanu PF, splits between those who want the 83-year-old leader to stay past 2028 and others who support Vice President Chiwenga. The military might decide who wins this power struggle, just like when they helped remove Robert Mugabe years ago.
