Prominent Mozambican journalist João Chamusse was found dead outside his home on the outskirts of the capital, Maputo, in a suspected murder on Thursday, December 14th, 2023.
Local media reported that Chamusse was killed by unknown assailants, with neighbors hearing him scream for help in the early hours of the morning. Fellow journalists confirmed that Chamusse had a head wound, and a machete and gardening hoe were found near his body.
Chamusse, the co-owner and editor of Ponto por Ponto, a privately owned online weekly newspaper, was known for his critical commentary of the government, which he often voiced on a local TV station. Ponto por Ponto itself described their editorial director as a “victim of murder with a knife”.
The Mozambique chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa), a regional press freedom group, condemned the killing in a statement. The group acknowledged Chamusse’s role in the fight for press freedom in the country.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed deep concern over the incident, urging the Mozambican authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. The Mozambican authorities have yet to comment on the killing.
Chamusse’s death has sent shockwaves through the Mozambican media community and beyond. Journalists and human rights advocates are calling for a swift and transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. This attack on a journalist is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak truth to power in Mozambique.
