Fresh bail application for journalist Madzikatidze
11 Apr, 2026
What happened
Journalist Gideon Madzikatidze employed by Bulawayo24 appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo on 9 April 2026 for the provision of his trial date as initially set.
However, the State informed the court that they were still not ready to proceed, and consequently, no trial date was set.
This follows the Magistrates’ Court’s 24 March 2026 postponement of the matter to 9 April 2026 to set a trial date.
Madzikatidze’s legal representatives subsequently lodged a fresh bail application, arguing that his continued incarceration, together with the State’s lack of readiness to proceed to trial, constitutes a change of circumstances.
The court advised that a ruling on the bail application will be delivered on 20 April 2026.
background
Madzikatidze 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:
Journalist Gideon Madzikatidze
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