Freedom of expression, a cornerstone of democratic societies, is enshrined in Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution under Section 61, guaranteeing the right to free speech and media freedom.
However, despite these legal protections, journalists in Zimbabwe face persistent harassment, arbitrary arrests, and detention for reporting on issues deemed critical of the government.
The recent arrest of Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba on July 1, 2025, underscores the ongoing assault on press freedom in the country, where authorities frequently weaponize vague laws to silence dissent.
This article explores the state of freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, highlighting specific cases of journalist arrests and the broader implications for media freedom.
Faith Zaba’s Arrest: A Case of Satirical Suppression
On July 1, 2025, Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, was arrested in Harare and detained overnight on charges of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President” under Section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The charge stems from a satirical article published in the newspaper’s Muckraker column, which criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership and Zimbabwe’s chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), calling it a “trade union of dictators.”
According to Zaba’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, the police insisted on detaining her despite medical confirmation of her severe illness, raising concerns about the authorities’ disregard for her well-being.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) condemned the arrest, highlighting it as part of a broader pattern of media suppression in Zimbabwe.
A Pattern of Repression: Notable Journalist Arrests
Zaba’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend of targeting journalists who challenge the government or expose corruption. Below are key examples of journalist arrests in Zimbabwe, illustrating the risks faced by those exercising their right to free expression:
1. Hopewell Chin’ono :(Multiple Arrests, 2020–2021)
Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent investigative journalist, has faced repeated arrests for his reporting on government corruption. In July 2020, Chin’ono was arrested after exposing COVID-19 procurement fraud within the Health Ministry, which led to the dismissal of Health Minister Obadiah Moyo.
Charged with “incitement to participate in public violence,” he was detained for nearly six weeks and denied bail multiple times. In January 2021, he was arrested again for allegedly communicating falsehoods after tweeting about police brutality, spending additional time in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. His arrests highlight the government’s use of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act to target journalists exposing malfeasance.
2. Blessed Mhlanga (February 2025)
Blessed Mhlanga, a senior journalist with Heart and Soul TV, was arrested on February 24, 2025, and charged with incitement under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The charges relate to interviews he conducted with a war veteran critical of President Mnangagwa’s leadership. Mhlanga was denied bail, with authorities citing national security concerns, and was held in Chikurubi Prison, where he reportedly fell seriously ill.
Human Rights Watch condemned the arrest as a stark reminder of the threats to free expression in Zimbabwe, noting the unsanitary and overcrowded prison.
3. Wisdom Mdzungairi and Desmond Chingarande (August 2022)
In August 2022, NewsDay editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and senior reporter Desmond Chingarande were arrested under the Cyber and Data Protection Act for allegedly publishing “false data messages.”
The charges stemmed from their coverage of a legal dispute involving local authorities and a memorial park in Harare.
Media advocates described the arrests as an intimidation tactic, emphasizing that the law’s vague provisions allow authorities to criminalize legitimate journalism. The case underscored the chilling effect of the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act on press freedom.
4. Mduduzi Mathuthu (July 2020)
Investigative journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu faced an arrest warrant in July 2020 for allegedly organizing illegal demonstrations after collaborating with Chin’ono on the COVID-19 procurement fraud report. When police failed to find him at his Bulawayo home, they arrested his sister instead. Mathuthu went into hiding, citing fears of torture, and his case highlighted the government’s tactic of targeting journalists’ families to pressure them into compliance.
The Legal Framework: Weaponizing Laws Against Free Expression
Zimbabwe’s government has consistently used restrictive legislation to curb freedom of expression, despite constitutional guarantees. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, particularly Sections 31 and 164, is frequently invoked to charge journalists with “undermining the President” or “incitement.”
The 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act has further empowered authorities to monitor private communications and penalize “false data messages,” creating a chilling effect on investigative journalism. The 2023 Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act, known as the “Patriot Act,” criminalizes actions deemed to injure Zimbabwe’s “sovereignty and national interest,” posing a direct threat to journalists covering sensitive topics.
Amnesty International and MISA have documented how these laws are misused to target dissenting voices, with journalists facing arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa reported six press freedom violations in 2023 alone, including bans on journalists covering government events.
The government’s claim of fostering an “enabling” media environment, as stated by Information Minister Jenfan Muswere, is contradicted by the reality of ongoing harassment and censorship.
The Broader Impact on Freedom of Expression
The arrests of journalists like Zaba, Chin’ono, Mhlanga, and others send a clear message: criticizing the government or exposing corruption comes at a high cost.
This crackdown fosters self-censorship, as journalists fear legal repercussions, detention in harsh prison conditions, or even physical violence. The Committee to Protect Journalists noted that while violence against journalists has decreased since Robert Mugabe’s ouster in 2017, intimidation, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests remain prevalent. Reporters Without Borders ranked Zimbabwe 129 out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting its hostile environment for journalists.
The suppression of free expression undermines not only media freedom but also public access to information, a right guaranteed under Section 62 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution. The targeting of journalists stifles public discourse, weakens accountability, and erodes democratic principles. As MISA stated in response to Zaba’s arrest, such actions are “against the letter and spirit of media freedoms” enshrined in the Constitution.
A Call for Reform and Solidarity
The pattern of journalist arrests in Zimbabwe demands urgent reform. The government must align its laws with constitutional and international obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect free expression. Repealing draconian provisions in the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Cyber and Data Protection Act is essential to creating a safe environment for journalists.
Civil society and international organizations continue to advocate for change. MISA’s 24/7 SOS journalist hotline (0784 437 338) provides legal and medical support for detained journalists, while groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch call for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained. The international community, including the European Union and the United Nations, has expressed concern over Zimbabwe’s press freedom violations, urging respect for fundamental rights.
Conclusion
Zimbabwe’s journalists operate in a precarious environment where freedom of expression is under constant threat. The arrests of Faith Zaba, Hopewell Chin’ono, Blessed Mhlanga, and others highlight the government’s reliance on repressive laws to silence critical voices. These cases are not just attacks on individuals but on the public’s right to know. As Zimbabwe navigates its political and economic challenges, fostering an open and free media landscape is critical to upholding democracy and accountability. The resilience of Zimbabwe’s journalists, supported by local and global advocacy, offers hope, but meaningful change requires dismantling the legal and institutional barriers to free expression.
