Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga will spend the next two nights behind bars after a Harare magistrate postponed his bail application.

A judgment on a bail application will now be heard on Thursday. Mhlanga appeared in court today facing charges of transmitting data messages inciting violence.

Despite Mhlanga voluntarily handing himself to police, the state is denying the granting of bail arguing that Mhlanga might interfere with investigations.

Many fear a return to the past dark days when press freedom in Zimbabwe was denied.

Mhlanga’s lawyer, Chris Mhike told journalists outside court that press freedom in Zimbabwe was under threat following the arrest of his client.

“In our consideration is a completely unjustified charge against a journalist. We made the point in court that this amounts to harassment of the media. Under our law, section 50 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, every accused person is entitled to be released on his or her initial appearance at court except where there are compelling reasons justifying the condition of detention. It was our contention that the state does not have any such compelling reasons.”