Zimbabwe detains journalist over satirical piece criticising president

Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, is the latest journalist to be charged in court over what the government claimed undermined the authority of 82-year-old Mnangagwa.

Prosecutors said Zaba, 55, published the article titled "When you become mafia state" under the muckraker column of the weekly tabloid.

"The contents of the article are false in material and designed to engender feelings of hostility by the citizens of Zimbabwe towards the president," said Takudzwa Jambawu.

A magistrate's court in the capital Harare ordered that Zaba be detained until Thursday when it will rule on an application for bail.

Her lawyer Chris Mhike said it was disappointing she was spending a second night in jail despite having an illness.

"A prison is not the best place for people who are unwell," Mhike said.

Rights campaigners and media groups have said Zimbabwe, a multi-party democracy, has in recent years stepped up a crackdown on civil society and weaponised the law to silence government critics.

A journalist who interviewed a critic of Mnangagwa calling for his resignation was arrested in February and held in jail for more than 70 days on accusation the broadcast incited violence.

Blessed Mhlanga had hosted former ruling party veteran Blessed Geza, the public face of opposition to attempts to keep Mnangagwa in power after the end of his term in 2028.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists said it was "deeply disturbed by the criminalisation of journalism" and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Zaba.

"Satirical commentary, whether critical or humorous, is protected speech and should not be criminalised," it said in a statement.

The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe also echoed the calls, saying the arrest reflected how press freedom was "becoming more and more disrespected".

Zimbabwe is ranked 106th out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders' press freedom index.