High Court bail hearing for detained journalist Madzikatidze continues
20 Mar, 2026
What happened
Detained journalist Gideon Madzikatidze, employed by Bulawayo 24, appeared before the High Court in Harare on 16 March 2026, for his bail appeal hearing.
The matter was not finalised and was postponed to Wednesday, 18 March 2026, for the continuation of the bail hearing.
Meanwhile, Madzikatidze was remanded to 24 March 2026 for the provision of a trial date when he appeared in court at the Harare Magistrates Court on 17 March 2026 on a routine remand.
background
Madzikatidze is facing two charges:
- Contravening Section 7 (1) 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