Judgment reserved in journalist Madzikatidze’s bail application
20 Mar, 2026
What happened
High Court judge Justice Muchawa, on 19 March 2026, reserved judgment on the bail application by detained journalist Gideon Madzikatidze, who is employed by Bulawayo 24.
The date on which judgment will be delivered will be advised once it has been finalised.
background
Madzikatidze, who was denied bail by Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo on 2 March 2026, is facing two charges.
- Contravening Section 7 (1) as read with subsection 4 (b) of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06] (providing a broadcasting service without a licence).
- Cyberbullying as defined in Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
MISA's position
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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.
Latest media violations
Those affected:
Bulawayo24 journalist Gideon Madzikatidze
Bulawayo24 journalist Gideon Madzikatidze
Number affected:
1
1
Perpetrators:
Zimbabwe Republic Police
Zimbabwe Republic Police
Types of actors:
State, Quasi-state
State, Quasi-state
Location:
Harare
Harare