The Arrest of Journalist, Faith Zaba, A Blow to Press Freedom in Zimbabwe

By Senior Reporter

The arrest of Faith Zaba, the editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, has sent shockwaves through the journalistic community in Zimbabwe. On Tuesday, Zaba was arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) over a satirical article published in the newspaper’s Muckracker column last Friday. The article, which mocked Zimbabwe’s recent assumption of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairmanship, described the regional bloc as a “trade union of dictators.”

According to reports, Zaba’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, confirmed that the editor was arrested on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Despite medical confirmation of her severe illness, the police insisted on detaining her overnight, pending a court appearance provisionally set for Wednesday. Prior to her voluntary surrender to the police station, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Law and Order division had made two failed attempts to apprehend her at the offices of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH).

Zaba’s arrest comes hot on the heels of another arrest of a journalist from the same stable, AMH’s head of news at HStv, Blessed Mhlanga, who spent 72 days in pretrial detention. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has condemned Zaba’s arrest, stating that it is “yet another attack on independent journalism in Zimbabwe.” MISA’s statement highlighted a disturbing pattern of intimidation and suppression, noting that the repeated arrests of journalists like Zaba and Mhlanga are a clear attempt to stifle free speech and independent journalism in the country.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for Zaba’s unconditional release, while the Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform has also demanded her release. The platform posted on X, “We call for the release of Faith Zaba, who was recently arrested and charged with undermining the authority of the president.”

The arrest of Faith Zaba display the challenges faced by journalists in Zimbabwe.

As Blessed Mhlanga, who recently spent 72 days in prison, noted on X, “On February 24, it was me, today it’s my boss Faith Zaba, tomorrow it’s you.” The arrest of Zaba has sent a chill through the journalistic community, with many fearing for their safety and freedom to report.

Zaba’s arrest is a clear attempt to stifle free speech and independent journalism in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Union for Journalists (ZUJ) note, “it is essential that the Zimbabwean authorities respect the rights of journalists and ensure that they are able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or persecution”.

“ZUJ condemns strongly the arrest and detention of Faith Zaba, Zimbabwe Independent Editor by the Zimbabwe Republic Police”.

“As ZUJ, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending media freedom and protecting the rights of journalists. We stand with Zaba and with every journalist in Zimbabwe who works fearlessly to inform the public and uphold the principles of truth, justice, and objectivity”.

The release of Faith Zaba is a matter of utmost importance, and it is crucial that the authorities take immediate action to address the concerns of the journalistic community and human rights organizations.