A prominent Zimbabwean journalist was detained Wednesday over a satirical article critical of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a charge media groups decried was another attack on freedom of expression
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 prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu.
A magistrate’s court in the capital Harare ordered Zaba detained until Thursday, when it will rule on bail.
Her lawyer Chris Mhike said it was disappointing she was spending a second night in jail despite having an illness.
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