Zimbabwean Authorities Urged to Investigate Murder of Journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka

Watson Flexy Munyaka, an investigative journalist, was murdered on March 17 after being thrown from a moving vehicle. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned his killing and urged Zimbabwean authorities to thoroughly investigate the crime. Munyaka, a founding member of the “Dug Up” collective, was known for exposing corruption and crime in Zimbabwe. His murder reflects a disturbing trend of violence against journalists, particularly amid an increasing crackdown on criticism of the government.

On March 17, investigative journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka tragically succumbed to injuries sustained from being violently thrown from a moving vehicle. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) decries this brutal act and urges the Zimbabwean authorities to commit fully to investigating the crime and prosecuting those responsible. This incident marks an unprecedented act of violence against journalists, specifically targeting investigative reporters in Marondera, Zimbabwe.

Munyaka’s body was discovered in a central area of Marondera, located southeast of Harare. After being thrown from a 4×4 vehicle in broad daylight, he was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after. He was a founding member of “Dug Up,” a collective dedicated to independent investigative journalism which has been active since September 2024, aiming to expose corruption and crime in Zimbabwe.

Colleagues from the “Dug Up” collective, including senior producer Maynard Manyowa, emphasized Munyaka’s integral role in their operations. Just days prior to his death, the collective published a report about the ruling party, ZANU-PF, and shared videos on YouTube that highlighted conflicts within the political leadership.

The police initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Munyaka’s murder the same day it occurred. RSF insisted, “His heinous murder, which highlights the climate of violence faced by investigative journalists in Zimbabwe, must not go unpunished,” thus calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation. Munyaka had a history of tackling sensitive issues such as drug trafficking and corruption in his reporting.

From 2017 to 2019, Munyaka worked for Khuluma Afrika, exposing significant issues like ivory poaching. Later, he became a familiar voice on Power 987 FM in South Africa, where he analyzed current events. His recent investigations for “Dug Up” included high-profile cases tied to corruption scandals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings were slated for release in April on their YouTube channel.

This tragic event underscores a growing trend of violence and repression against journalists in Zimbabwe. Concurrently, journalist Blessed Mhlanga from Alpha Media Holdings has faced wrongful detention since February 25, accused of “inciting hatred” after covering a press conference criticizing President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Currently, Zimbabwe is ranked 116th in the 2024 RSF World Press Freedom Index, reflecting ongoing challenges in media freedom.

The disturbing murder of Watson Flexy Munyaka signifies a concerning trend of violence against investigative journalists in Zimbabwe, emphasizing the urgent need for police accountability and transparency. As RSF advocates for justice, the rising climate of repression against journalists and critics of the government continues to pose risks to media freedom. The calls for comprehensive investigations into Munyaka’s death mirror the wider struggle for press rights in the nation during a period marked by escalating censorship and violence against those advocating for truth.

Original Source: rsf.org