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[Satire] 'She Is Unwell': Zimbabwean Editor Faith Zaba Seeks Bail After Being Arrested for Satirical Article
- Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, was arrested in Harare on July 1, 2025, for allegedly undermining or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
- Her arrest followed publication of a satirical column that criticized Mnangagwa’s government and cited the administration as 'obsessed with keeping itself in power.'
- Zaba appeared at the magistrate's court on July 2, 2025, and her bail hearing was deferred at the prosecutor's request to review her medical records due to her ill health.
- According to Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law legislation, if found guilty, Zaba may be subjected to a penalty of up to $300, imprisonment for as long as one year, or both, while advocacy groups are calling for her immediate release.
- Her case highlights an ongoing crackdown on journalists amid a restrictive climate, prompting calls for authorities to stop criminalizing journalism and respect press freedom and civic space.
16 Articles
16 Articles
In Zimbabwe, Faith Zaba's arrest continues to make a strong reaction. The editor of the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper was detained this week, accused of insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a satirical column. A case that rekindles concerns about freedom of expression in this southern African country.
CPJ calls on Zimbabwe authorities to release detained journalist
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Zimbabwean authorities Wednesday to release detained journalist Faith Zaba, who was arrested for a satirical newspaper column about the country’s President. Muthoki Mumo, the CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, stated that Zaba’s arrest highlights the “fragile” state of the government and the restrictive climate in which journalists operate. He urged the immediate and unconditional release of the …
Faith Zaba, editor-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Independent, was held responsible for the publication of a satirical article. Zimbabwe is ranked 106th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
Zimbabwe authorities arrest newspaper editor on charges of insulting the president - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York July 2, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Zimbabwean authorities to release newspaper editor Faith Zaba, who was arrested on July 1. She is facing charges of “undermining or insulting the authority of the president” in connection with a satirical column. “This case sends the message that Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration are so fragile that they are easily threatened by a critical column,” s…
Zimbabwe's arbitrary detention of journalist an assault on freedom of expression
Responding to the arrest and detention of Faith Zaba, editor of the weekly Zimbabwe Independent, on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting the country’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International’s Senior Researcher in East and Southern Africa, said:“Amnesty International strongly condemns the arrest and detention of Faith Zaba for exercising her constitutionally guaranteed rights as a journalist. This i…
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