Captured Courts, Zimbabwe’s Justice System Exposed as Mhlanga Faces Uphill Battle for Freedom

By Shingirai Vambe

In a shocking display of the capture of Zimbabwe’s courts, High Court judge Justice Gibson Mandaza has indefinitely postponed the bail hearing for Heart&Soul Television (HSTV) senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga. The move is widely seen as a deliberate attempt to keep Mhlanga behind bars, highlighting the rot in the country’s justice system.

Mhlanga’s arrest and detention on charges of inciting violence have sparked widespread outrage, with many seeing it as a blatant attempt to silence critical voices. The State’s case against him is marred by discrepancies, with his lawyer Chris Mhike pointing out glaring inconsistencies between the State’s evidence and the alleged video recording.

Despite this, the State has shown a high level of intent to keep Mhlanga incarcerated, with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi allegedly instructing courts to deny him bail until after March 31. This blatant interference in the justice system has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the independence of the judiciary.

Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who has faced similar challenges, has spoken out against Mhlanga’s detention. Chin’ono, who has been arrested multiple times on trumped-up charges, knows firsthand the dangers of speaking truth to power in Zimbabwe. His experiences expose the dark underbelly of the country’s justice system, where corruption cases can land one in prison on flimsy charges.

The capture of Zimbabwe’s courts is a stark reality, with the judiciary often seen as an extension of the executive. This has created a culture of fear, where critical voices are silenced through intimidation and harassment.

As Mhlanga’s case drags on, it has become clear that his fate is not in the hands of the judiciary, but rather in the hands of those who seek to maintain their grip on power. The world watches with bated breath, hoping that justice will prevail and Mhlanga will be freed. But for now, the rot in Zimbabwe’s justice system remains a stark reminder of the dangers of speaking truth to power.

About The Author

Post On Sunday

See author's posts