A Zimbabwean court has granted bail to nearly 100 anti-government protesters who had been detained for over six weeks following a demonstration against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The group was arrested on March 31 during a protest in Harare, organized by independence war veteran Blessed Geza, who accuses the president of attempting to extend his rule beyond the constitutional limit set for 2028. Protesters were charged with breaching the peace and promoting public violence — offenses that could lead to up to five years in prison.
As part of their bail conditions, 89 of the detainees must report to the police biweekly until their legal proceedings conclude.
Crackdown on Journalism
The case has also drawn attention to the arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who was jailed for 73 days after airing an interview with Geza on the online platform Heart and Soul Television (HStv). Authorities claim the broadcast incited violence, and the government is now seeking to merge Mhlanga’s case with that of the media outlet.
Mhlanga’s trial was scheduled to begin on Wednesday but was postponed. Speaking after his release on May 7, he described prison conditions as “hell” and decried his detention as a violation of press freedom. “Journalism is not a crime, but I have been jailed for it,” he said.
Amnesty International has condemned the charges, calling for their immediate dismissal and warning that the journalist’s prosecution undermines freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.