Harare, Zimbabwe – Prominent journalist Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, will spend another night at Chikurubi Female Prison after a Harare magistrate failed to deliver a ruling on her bail application due to a power outage at the court. The 55-year-old veteran journalist was arrested earlier this week on charges of “undermining the authority of the president” following the publication of a controversial opinion column titled “When you become a mafia state”, which featured a photo of President Emmerson Mnangagwa shaking hands with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo.
Zaba’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, confirmed that despite the state verifying the authenticity of medical documents proving Zaba is in poor health and not opposing bail, the magistrate postponed the decision due to not having completed writing the ruling amid an ongoing power cut. “We made detailed submissions in support of the granting of bail,” Mhike told reporters, expressing frustration that the delay meant Zaba would remain in custody for another night. “It is extremely unfortunate that Faith Zaba spends yet another night in custody.”
Zaba was reportedly on doctor-mandated bed rest and taking prescribed medication at the time of her arrest. Her legal team emphasized that she is not in good health but is coping with the circumstances “bravely.” The next hearing is scheduled for the following day, as the court continues to deliberate her bail eligibility.
Faith Zaba is a respected journalist with decades of experience in Zimbabwe’s media landscape. Her arrest has sparked concern among press freedom advocates and international watchdogs who see the move as part of a broader clampdown on dissent and free speech under President Mnangagwa’s administration. Zimbabwe has seen increasing pressure on independent journalism and civil society in the lead-up to and aftermath of recent elections, with critics accusing the government of silencing opposing voices.
The Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and other human rights organizations have condemned Zaba’s arrest and called for her immediate release, labeling the charges a clear violation of her constitutional rights. The ongoing detention of one of the country’s most influential editors has heightened concerns about the shrinking space for media freedom in Zimbabwe and the use of judicial and legal systems to intimidate journalists.
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