On February 18, 2026, freelance journalist Gideon Madzikatidze was arrested on charges of cyberbullying and broadcasting without a license, over an article alleging bribery by a local business.
The charge sheet, reviewed by CPJ, alleges that between December 15 and 16, Madzikatidze published a story on the online news site Bulawayo24 accusing local company Geo Pomona Waste Management’s leadership of bribing journalists and editors to evade scrutiny.
If found guilty, Madzikatidze could serve up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $700 for cyberbullying, under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, and up to three months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $700, under Section 7(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act, according to Giya and the press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe.
On February 25, Madzikatidze appeared at the capital’s Harare Magistrate’s Court for a bail application hearing, the journalist’s lawyer Godwin Giya told CPJ. But the magistrate was away and it was deferred February 27. On that date, the court said the magistrate was overwhelmed and it was adjourned again, Giya said.
On March 2, the application was denied, and the next appearance date set for March 17. On that date, the court was not ready to hear the matter.
On March 23, the High Court dismissed Madzikatidze’s appeal.
Giya told CPJ that they would formally request the Registrar of the High Court for written reasons for the decision because the order did not state why the appeal was denied.
The next court date is April 9, when trial dates are due to be set.
A person familiar with the case told CPJ, on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisals, that it was unclear why authorities were charging Madzikatidze under a section of the law that criminalizes airing of television and radio programming without a license as the story was only published on a website.
Bulawayo24, named after Zimbabwe’s second largest city, has provided domestic and international news coverage for over a decade.
CPJ’s March requests for comment via phone to Geo Pomona’s legal representative, Dorothea Moyo, and via phone and messaging app to police spokesperson Paul Nyathi were not answered.