Blessed Mhlanga denied bail

Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Harare regional magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima has denied Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) senior reporter Blessed Mhlanga bail.
Mhlanga, who is facing charges of transmitting messages inciting public violence, will return to court on March 14.
While delivering his ruling Mr Gwitira said it is the responsibility of the State to show compelling reasons why an accused person should not be admitted to bail.
He said the State had managed to give a compelling reason that warrant the continued detention of the accused person.
Mr Gwitima said Mhlanga was likely to interfere with witnesses if released on bail thereby jeopardising investigations.
He said the messages that he transmitted had the potential to stir violence, cause the removal of a constitutionally elected President forcefully, and throw national security into a dilemma.
“The State has managed to prove compelling reasons why the accused is not a proper candidate for bail,” he said.