The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) joins large numbers in the region in condemning the recent arrest of respected Zimbabwean journalist and editor Faith Zaba – yet another brazen attempt by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to suppress independent journalism.

Zaba, the editor of the Zimbabwe Independent and a veteran investigative journalist, was arrested and detained on 1 July 2025 on charges of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President.” The arrest followed the publication of a satirical column titled “When you become a mafia state”. Zaba was later released on bail of US$200.

This latest arrest continues a disturbing trend. In February, TV journalist Blessed Mhlanga—also employed by the same media house—was detained for 72 days under the pretext of “transmitting data messages that incite violence or damage to property.” His supposed offence was airing two interviews with former ZANU-PF politician and liberation veteran Blessed Geza, who had accused President Mnangagwa of corruption and called for his resignation. Mhlanga himself made no such statements. Geza has since gone into hiding.

Both Mhlanga and Zaba face trial in the coming weeks—Mhlanga on 17 July and Zaba on 29 July—on charges that could result in custodial sentences. Their cases are clear indications of the Zimbabwean state’s authoritarianism. The charges faced by Zaba are notorious colonial- and Mugabe-era “insult laws” that many Zimbabweans had hoped would be repealed under Mnangagwa’s leadership given his promises of democratic reform.

Nicole Fritz, Executive Director of the Campaign for Free Expression, commented: “Faith Zaba’s arrest is a cynical abuse of the law to punish dissent and chill journalistic scrutiny. That it follows a satirical column reminds us just how allergic this government is to criticism of any kind. We call on Zimbabwean authorities to drop these spurious charges and to repeal laws that criminalise expression. A government that arrests journalists for doing their jobs cannot make any credible claim to democracy.”

CFE urges regional and international actors to speak out against the escalating repression of journalists in Zimbabwe and to support those working to uphold press freedom and democratic accountability.