KEY POINTS
- The State failed to present crucial video evidence in court.
- Mhlanga’s lawyer argues the missing evidence is key to his defense.
- The court adjourned the hearing to assess the defense’s request.
After the State failed to present electronic and video recordings it claimed to have, Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist with Alpha Media Holdings who is being held on charges of disseminating information inciting violence, had his bail appeal hearing postponed indefinitely.
State fails to present key video evidence in court
Chris Mhike, Mhlanga’s attorney, asked for more details, claiming that they would help the defense make the case for Mhlanga’s release. According to Mhike, the State seems hesitant to supply the needed resources.
Because of their privilege over the docket, the prosecution has a warned and cautioned statement that they are unable to make public, Mhike stated. “We think the significance of video evidence will bolster our claims.”
According to the State, these kinds of petitions ought to have been made when Mhlanga first appeared in court. Mhike, however, retorted that the defense had previously questioned the veracity of the evidence in front of Magistrate Farai Gwitima.
“The Magistrates Court declined to consider this issue, so we are bringing it up again in the hopes that the High Court will give it a more equitable hearing,” Mhike stated.
Judge adjourns hearing to consider evidence request
In charge The hearing was indefinitely postponed by Judge Gibson Mandaza to give time to review the request for additional details.
After allegedly interviewing Blessed Geza, a war veteran and outspoken critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 vision, Mhlanga was taken into custody.
Since then, police have begun a manhunt for Geza, who is accused of theft, undermining the president’s authority, and inciting others.
According to New Zimbabwe, Mhike noted differences between the supposed recordings and the remand form and stated that the required evidence will help the court make an educated decision.
Mhike proposed, “We can adjourn until noon so the State can present the evidence.”
