THE Committee to Protect Journalists has urged African Union chairperson and South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, to secure the release of a Zimbabwean investigative journalist, who was arrested after uncovering alleged COVID-19 shady deals, said to be linked to senior state officials in Zimbabwe, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family.
In a letter signed by CPJ director William Bird, the organization described the arrest and subsequent detention of Hopwell Chin’ono as an affront to freedom of expression and media.
“We call on you as Chair of the African Union, and as the President of the Republic of South Africa to use all available mechanisms to help secure the immediate release of jailed Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, and to ensure that journalists across the continent are respected as essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and are not jailed for their work.”
CPJ said the arrest of Chin’ono and others is a
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