Faith Zaba, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, was detained by authorities after publishing a satirical article titled “When you become mafia state,” which criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The government accused her of undermining the president’s authority and spreading false information designed to create hostility against him.
Prosecutors say the article was harmful to national unity.
Zaba, 55, was held in custody pending a bail hearing, despite her illness, sparking concern from her lawyer.
Media rights groups and campaigners condemned the detention as part of an ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists described the criminalization of journalism as deeply troubling and called for her immediate release, stating that satirical commentary is protected speech.
Amnesty International also criticized the arrest, which was described as a pattern of using the justice system to intimidate journalists.
Zimbabwe’s press freedom situation has worsened in recent years, with the country ranked 106th out of 180 on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
