Calls on African Union, SADC to condemn Faith Zaba’s detention
PICTURE: The African Union flag
UPDATE: Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba was on Friday 4 July granted bail by Harare magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe after a power outage disrupted proceedings at the bail hearing on Thursday, reports NewsDay. The power outage condemned her to a third night in detention following her arrest this week over a satirical article that appeared in the weekly
MMA strongly condemns the arrest and detention of respected Zimbabwean journalist and Editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, Faith Zaba. Zaba was arrested on 1 July 2025 in connection with a satirical column which allegedly ‘undermined the authority of the president’.
She was held overnight despite known medical concerns, and appeared in court the following day. She is currently being held in Chikurubi Maximum Prison with a bail hearing set for 3 July.
The targeting of Zaba, a senior journalist and prominent voice for independent media in the region, is an alarming violation of media freedom and freedom of expression. Her arrest follows a worrying pattern of intimidation and criminalisation of journalists in Zimbabwe, including the recent prolonged detention of journalist Blessed Mhlanga.
As an organisation dedicated to advancing media freedom, striving for open and trusted information, and ensuring the public’s right to information, MMA condemns any action that threatens the safety and independence of journalists
When journalists are arrested for doing their jobs, especially under vague or overly broad charges, it not only violates their individual rights, but also sends a chilling message to the media sector at large.
Criminalising satire and critical commentary undermines the vital role of journalists in holding power to account, especially in countries facing democratic backsliding.
MMA calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to:
- immediately and unconditionally drop the charges against Faith Zaba
- guarantee her safety and well-being, particularly given her medical condition
- cease the use of repressive laws to target independent journalists, and
- uphold their national and international obligations to protect freedom of expression and media freedom
We further call on regional and international bodies, including the African Union, SADC, human rights institutions and the President of South Africa to condemn this blatant attack on press freedom and to demand accountability.
Journalists must be protected, not punished. The right to a free, independent, and safe press is non-negotiable
- This statement was first published here
