By 
The High Court has granted bail to journalist Blessed Mhlanga after 72 days in pre-trial detention. Presiding Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza set bail at USD$500, higher than the USD$200 initially proposed by Mhlanga’s lawyers, Thabani Mpofu and Chris Mhike.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
The bail conditions include paying USD$500 bail, not changing his place of residence and accused should report every Friday at CID Harare offices
Judge Mandaza cited the passage of time as a change in circumstances, allowing for bail. He emphasized imposing conditions to prevent Mhlanga from fleeing or interfering with witnesses.
Mhlanga’s lawyers argued that the state’s case might not be as strong as claimed, and with the trial date set, there’s no risk of evidence tampering.
Advocate Mpofu stated, “If there’s no evidence for him to interfere with, then there’s no need to keep him in prison.”
The court’s decision to grant bail brings an end to Mhlanga’s prolonged detention. Mhlanga’s legal team successfully argued that the passage of time and the securing of evidence diminished the state’s grounds for opposing bail.
With the trial set to proceed, Mhlanga will now await his day in court while adhering to the bail conditions imposed by the High Court.
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