The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has intensified its call for the immediate release of Faith Zaba, a journalist currently held by Zimbabwean authorities following a satirical piece she wrote about President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Zaba, who is the editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, a Harare-based private weekly, faces charges of undermining the authority of the president.

Muthoki Mumo, CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator, described Zaba’s arrest as indicative of the "fragile" nature of Zimbabwe's government and the oppressive environment for journalists. The CPJ's urgent plea underscores the serious health concerns for Zaba, who was reported to be seriously ill at the time of her arrest on July 1.

Zaba's article, which critiqued President Mnangagwa's policies and administrative approach, led to her being summoned to Harare's central police station. The following day, her bail hearing was postponed, with the court needing additional time to review her medical records. Under Zimbabwe's Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Zaba could face a year in prison, a $300 fine, or both if convicted.

This incident mirrors the earlier case of Blessed Mhlanga, another journalist from Alpha Media Holdings, who faced a ten-week detention on incitement charges. The CPJ has pointed to these arrests as part of a broader pattern of rights infringements in Zimbabwe.

Recent reports from the Zimbabwe Peace Project have highlighted ongoing human rights abuses, with the ruling party, ZANU-PF, cited as a major violator. These include suppression of freedom of assembly and forced attendance at political events, actions that contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Further complicating the civic landscape in Zimbabwe is the recent enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act 2025 by President Mnangagwa. This legislation has been criticized for potentially curtailing the freedom of association by establishing state bodies to oversee and potentially suspend private voluntary organizations.

As Zaba's detention continues, with her pre-trial confinement extended due to a power outage delaying court proceedings, international and local observers watch closely. The situation raises significant concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Zimbabwe.