The trial of Alpha Media Holdings senior journalist Blessed Mhlanga and HStv general manager Olga Muteiwa has been postponed to March 9–11 after the State said the presiding magistrate was unavailable.
The trial, delayed several times since last year, has previously been postponed due to the absence of either State witnesses or the magistrate.
In October last year, prosecutors told the court investigations had been completed, and they were ready to proceed, but the trial has yet to start.
Mhlanga and Muteiwa face charges of transmitting messages allegedly intended to incite public violence.
The matter was initially being handled by Harare magistrate Sheunesu Matova, who has since been transferred to Hwange.
The pair are represented by lawyers Chris Mhike, Douglas Coltart and Beatrice Mtetwa.
At the last remand hearing, CID Law and Order Harare officer-in-charge Edmore Nyadzamba told the court that Mhlanga allegedly “engaged the late Blessed Geza and provided facilities for him to record utterances” said to encourage citizens to revolt against the government. He said the messages were later transmitted through digital platforms.
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Mhike disputed the charges, saying Mhlanga had no authority over HStv’s editorial or broadcasting decisions as he is neither a director nor shareholder.
Mtetwa pointed to inconsistencies between Nyadzamba’s testimony and the State outline, saying prosecutors allege incitement against the President while Nyadzamba referred to incitement against the government.
Nyadzamba said there was no contradiction because “the President is the head of government and commander-in-chief”.
Mtetwa said the position conflated presidential authority with other arms of the State, adding that it reflected ideological reasoning.
In closing submissions, the defence cited Section 60 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and media freedom, arguing journalists are obliged to report on matters of public interest.
Nyadzamba acknowledged the right to disseminate information but said it was not absolute, arguing that distributing content likely to incite violence is unlawful.
Mtetwa said the broadcast contained no violent content and was not interpreted by viewers as calling for the violent removal of the President.
She said Geza’s press conference was constitutional and accused police of omitting sections of the Constitution from transcripts to distort his remarks.
Mtetwa also questioned why HStv was charged six months after the broadcast.
Nyadzamba said investigations can take time. Defence lawyers argued HStv was included as a “dragnet” after police failed to build a strong case against Mhlanga alone.
