Zimbabwean journalist and Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba was granted bail on Friday, 4 July, after spending four days in police custody in what civil society organisations have condemned as a blatant attack on press freedom and freedom of expression.
Faith Zaba was arrested in Harare on 1 July 2025, facing charges of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President,” in connection with a satirical article published in the weekly newspaper she edits. The arrest sent shockwaves through the media fraternity, sparking concern over a growing trend of media repression in Zimbabwe.
Her release, however, was unusually delayed. Despite the State not opposing bail, Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe postponed the ruling on Thursday, citing his inability to type the decision due to a power outage—a justification that drew sharp criticism and ridicule from legal experts and observers.
Ordinarily, magistrates can verbally deliver rulings, with clerical staff finalising documentation later. But in Faith Zaba’s case, Chikwekwe declined to pronounce the ruling without a typed record, compelling the veteran journalist to endure another night behind bars. The incident raised eyebrows and added to suspicions of procedural manipulation.
When bail was finally granted the following day, Faith Zaba was ordered to pay US$200 and adhere to several conditions: she must report to the police once a week, surrender her passport, and avoid interfering with investigations. Her next court appearance was set for 29 July 2025.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation, with civil society groups and media watchdogs accusing the government of using the legal system to intimidate journalists and muzzle dissenting voices. Organisations such as the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe), the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum have all issued strong statements calling for Zaba’s charges to be dropped.
Media Under Fire: Faith Zaba Granted Bail Amid Outcry Over Press Freedom in Zimbabwe
“This is an alarming escalation in the criminalisation of journalism in Zimbabwe,” MISA-Zimbabwe said in a statement. “Journalists must not be targeted for their editorial decisions or for engaging in satire—a universally recognised form of expression.”
Zaba’s arrest and detention, many argue, signal a broader crackdown on media freedoms, particularly in the wake of growing political and economic dissatisfaction in the country. Her situation has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for press freedom in Zimbabwe, a nation with a long history of state-media tensions.
Zaba is one of the few women editors in Zimbabwe’s mainstream media, where senior positions have historically been dominated by men. Her leadership at the Zimbabwe Independent, a publication known for its investigative reporting and critical stance on governance issues, has earned her both praise and scrutiny.
Her supporters point out that she was arrested despite voluntarily presenting herself to the police, even while receiving medical treatment in hospital. Her legal team cited her poor health in requesting bail, which the State did not contest—an unusual scenario in politically sensitive cases.
“We are deeply concerned about her well-being and the manner in which her rights were violated,” said a spokesperson from ZLHR. “The use of criminal charges to punish journalists for doing their job is a serious affront to democratic principles.”
This case is the latest in a growing list of legal actions against independent journalists in Zimbabwe. While the government under President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised reform and greater openness, the media landscape remains fraught with risk. Investigative journalists, in particular, face harassment, arbitrary detention, and lawsuits under vague legal provisions that criminalise criticism of public officials.
The “insulting the President” charge used against Zaba is widely seen as a relic of authoritarian rule. Though criticised by local and international human rights bodies, the charge continues to be invoked in cases involving political satire or public commentary deemed unflattering to the government.
Faith Zaba’s arrest came shortly after the publication of a satirical column that some officials reportedly took offence to—although the actual content has not been formally presented in court. The ambiguity of the case has only intensified criticism of the authorities for using lawfare tactics—the strategic use of legal tools to suppress political dissent.
As calls grow for judicial reform and media protection in Zimbabwe, Faith Zaba’s ordeal has become a rallying point for journalists, activists, and legal professionals who argue that democracy cannot thrive without a free and independent press.
With her next court appearance set for the end of July, the outcome of the case is being closely watched—both inside Zimbabwe and by international observers concerned about shrinking civic space in the country.
In the meantime, Faith Zaba’s supporters have vowed to continue mobilising in her defence, using her story to highlight the urgent need to safeguard journalistic freedom and protect the rights of those who dare to speak truth to power.
Source- Dailymaverick
