Demand for Justice: Murder of Journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka Highlights Press Freedom Crisis in Zimbabwe
Investigative journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka was murdered on March 17, after being ejected from a car in Marondera, Zimbabwe. Reporters Without Borders condemned the violence and urged swift justice. Munyaka was a co-founder of “Dug Up,” which focused on corruption investigations. This incident represents a troubling trend of violence against journalists in Zimbabwe amid a crackdown on dissent.
Watson Flexy Munyaka, an investigative journalist, was tragically murdered on March 17, after being violently thrown from a moving vehicle in Marondera, Zimbabwe. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned this brutal act and demands that the authorities make every effort to comprehensively investigate the crime and bring those responsible to justice. This incident represents a concerning escalation of violence against journalists in Zimbabwe, particularly towards those who investigate corruption and crime.
On March 17, Munyaka’s body was discovered in a downtown location in Marondera, southeast of Harare. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the violent incident that occurred in broad daylight. Munyaka was a pivotal figure, co-founding “Dug Up,” a collective established to conduct independent investigations into various sensitive issues, including corruption across Zimbabwe.
Just prior to his death, “Dug Up” had published an investigative report concerning the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and shared videos showcasing political discord between the president and his vice president, contributing to a dangerous atmosphere for journalists like Munyaka. RSF has urged police to intensify efforts to solve the murder, highlighting the significance of Munyaka’s work against corruption, drug trafficking, and other public issues.
Previously, Munyaka worked with Khuluma Afrika and was known for exposing serious crimes such as ivory poaching. His recent investigations uncovered dubious dealings involving Delish Nguwaya, a businessman tied to a drug scandal, and Walter Magaya, a preacher accused of fraudulent medical claims leading to deaths. These findings were expected to be shared in upcoming publications.
The violence against Munyaka parallels a wider crackdown on freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, exemplified by the detention of journalist Blessed Mhlanga since February 25, who faces charges for simply reporting on a politically charged press conference. Zimbabwe’s ranking of 116th in the RSF World Press Freedom Index reflects the dire state of media freedom in the country, underscoring the rampant danger posed to those who dare to speak truth to power.
The murder of Watson Flexy Munyaka underscores the perilous conditions for journalists in Zimbabwe, particularly those investigating corruption and crime. RSF’s call for thorough investigation and accountability emphasizes the urgent need to protect reporters. This incident, coupled with the ongoing repression of dissenting voices in the media, highlights the concerning state of press freedom in Zimbabwe, as reflected in its low ranking on global press freedom indices.
Original Source: rsf.org
