Incident

Prominent Journalist Killed in the Line of Duty

Cause of death

Other non-natural

Details

Prominent journalist, Daudi Mwangosi on Sunday, 2 September 2012 died in the line of duty while covering clashes between the police and members of Tanzania's largest opposition political party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema).

The incident occurred in the southern highlands region of Iringa. Until his death, Mwangosi was correspondent for television station, Channel Ten and also served as the Chairperson of the Iringa Press Club. Information available to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) indicates that Mwangosi died around 16:00hrs East African Time at the Chadema offices, located in Nyololo Village in the Mafundi district.

Reports say the clashes began after police had ordered the Chadema supporters, who had gathered for a rally, to disperse. The supporters refused and the police resorted to violence in an effort to breakdown the gathering.

The rally has been described by police as illegal. Eyewitnesses say shortly before he was assaulted by the police, Mwangosi had demanded to know why a fellow journalist, Godfrey Mushi (from Nipashe newspaper) had been arrested. In the ensuing confrontation between Mwangosi and the police, eyewitnesses go on to say, a blast was heard and in the aftermath, Mwangosi was seen lying on the ground, next to a police officer. Photographic evidence shows Mwangosi, at one point, surrounded and being assaulted by police before he died. Tanzania's Editor's Forum, journalists, media practitioners and some members of the public have condemned the police actions, which have resulted in the loss of life and extensive damage to property. MISA's Programme Specialist for Media Freedom Monitoring and Research, Levi Kabwato expressed shock at the development.

"This is very shocking. 2 September isn't a dark day for Tanzanian journalism alone but also for the region and the rest of the world. Violence is never a solution, it solves nothing. We call upon the government of Tanzania to urgently institute an inquiry and bring those responsible for this loss of life to account."  He added: "The safety of journalists in southern Africa is a growing concern for MISA, especially over the last few months. We will continue to closely monitor the operating environment for journalists in the region and hopefully, prevent some of these tragic incidences from happening altogether.