Reyhana Masters unpacks the arrest of Zimbabwean journalist Faith Zaba
July 7, 2025
In what has been described as a dangerous assault on press freedom, Zimbabwean journalist Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, was arrested on 1 July and charged with “undermining the authority of the President” after publishing a satirical column. Her detention follows the earlier case of Blessed Mhlanga, a broadcast journalist who spent 72 days behind bars for airing an interview critical of the presidency.
Both incidents point to what media observers say is a disturbing trend of state-sanctioned harassment aimed at silencing critical journalism. The Namibia Media Trust (NMT), through a strongly worded statement, condemned the ongoing crackdown, calling it a strategic and deliberate dismantling of independent media structures in Zimbabwe.
To unpack this growing media crisis is Reyhana Masters, Programme Associate for Zimbabwe at the Namibia Media Trust.
