From Satire to Cells: Faith Zaba and the Decline of Press Freedom in Zimbabwe

…Mafia State?

By Harry Taruva in Sydney Australia

Gweru, Zimbabwe - The arrest and overnight detention of veteran journalist and Zimbabwe Independent Editor Faith Zaba in Harare has once again reignited national and international concern over the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe.

Zaba, who was arrested on 1 July 2025, faces charges of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President” following the publication of a satirical column titled “When You Become a Mafia State.”

The piece, published in the weekly’s Muckraker column, made humorous yet biting observations about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership and Zimbabwe’s assumption of the SADC chairmanship, describing the bloc as a “trade union of dictators.”

Authorities claim the article violated Section 33(2)(a)(i) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, a broadly worded statute that criminalises insulting the President.

Zaba appeared in court today, 2 July, represented by lawyer Chris Mhike, who told the magistrate that they had only received the charge sheet minutes before proceedings.

He confirmed the defence would not oppose remand, as informed by previous cases like the Blessed Mhlanga court case experience, to avoid delays, but made it clear that the article in question was satirical in nature.

“It’s clear we are dealing with satire,” Mhike told the court.

The State requested a postponement of the bail hearing to 3 July, stating that it needed to verify medical documentation confirming Zaba’s health condition.

Mhike said Zaba had been under doctor-ordered bed rest at the time of her arrest and urged the court to consider her medical vulnerability.

“Prison is not the best of places for people who are unwell,” Mhike said.

Zaba will spend another night in cells despite her medical situation.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) condemned Zaba’s arrest, describing it as a dangerous precedent for criminalising journalism.

“Satirical commentary, whether critical or humorous, is protected speech and should not be criminalised.

“Zaba’s arrest and treatment runs counter to the spirit and commitments of the newly launched media policy,” ZUJ said in a statement.

President Mnangagwa recently launched the government's Media Policy, that pledged reforms and promotion of a freer media space.

ZUJ also expressed outrage at reports that Zaba, who is unwell, was detained overnight.

“This raises grave concerns about her health, safety, and the proportionality of the actions taken by law enforcement," ZUJ said.

Media watchdog, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe chapter, echoed the same sentiments.

“We are deeply disappointed with the determination of the authorities to lock Zaba up, even in the face of medical confirmation of her current severe illness,” the Institute said through lawyer Mhike.

Amnesty International also raised red flags over the increasing use of criminal law to silence independent media in Zimbabwe.

The organisation noted in a previous statement that the targeting of journalists, including through arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and harassment, has a chilling effect on media freedom and undermines the public’s right to information.

In a broader review of the media environment in Zimbabwe, Amnesty warned that authorities are "weaponizing the law" to punish dissent and highlighted how vague statutes like Section 33 have been routinely abused to stifle legitimate criticism.

Press Freedom experts believe freedom of expression, including through such satire and criticism of public officials, is a cornerstone of democratic socities and must be protected.

Legal observers and commentators have noted that Zaba’s arrest is not an isolated incident.

Earlier this year, journalist Blessed Mhlanga was detained for 72 days without trial after conducting a televised interview with a government critic.

He was charged with “transmitting data messages that incite violence or damage to property.”

Commentator Tendai Reuben Mbofana, on his blog, characterised the Zaba case as another example of the government’s increasing sensitivity to dissent.

“Her so-called crime? Overseeing the publication of a satirical column that dared poke fun at President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” he wrote, adding that “What is most perplexing is how satire, one of the most universally accepted forms of political commentary in democratic societies, is now criminalised in Zimbabwe.”

Mbofana added that the piece did not make new allegations but echoed widely shared public sentiments.

“So why target Faith Zaba, and why now? Is this not yet another sign of a paranoid and insecure regime, constantly looking over its shoulder, terrified of even the mildest form of mockery?”

Faith Zaba is expected back in court tomorrow, 3 July, for her bail hearing.

On the other hand, Gweru based seasoned lawyer and former Gweru Urban Legislator, Honourable Brian Dube is on record urging journalists to tread carefully when doing their work amid Zimbabwe's draconic laws.

Speaking of the criminalization of journalism and the legal challenges facing media practitioners in Zimbabwe, during the World Press Freedom Day commemorations in Gweru earlier in May,

Hon. Brian Dube emphasized the need for journalists to tread carefully when doing their work, highlighting the fine line between journalism and unintentional legal violations in Zimbabwe.

“There is always a very thin line between doing your work as a journalist and inadvertently committing an offense,” Hon. Dube said.

He called for the revival of institutions such as the Media Lawyers Network, which play a crucial role in educating journalists about contemporary legal boundaries of their profession.

“These institutions can hold workshops that guide journalists in understanding at what point you are merely doing your job, and at what point it becomes a criminal act,” he said.

Hon. Dube also warned of the risks involved in crossing this line unknowingly, noting that while public sympathy may be extended, legal assistance may be limited.

“The danger is, if you cross that line unknowingly, people may sympathize with you, but they might not be able to help you beyond that,” he cautioned.

Meanwhile ,Zaba will spend another day in prison after her bail hearing was postponed as the state said they needed more time to view her medical records.

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