João Chamusse, a prominent Mozambican journalist, was discovered deceased outside his residence on the outskirts of Maputo, the capital, in what is suspected to be a case of murder.
According to local media reports, unknown attackers allegedly killed Chamusse, with neighbors attesting to hearing his cries for help during the early hours of Thursday.
Fellow journalists noted that Chamusse exhibited head injuries, and a machete and gardening tool were found near his body.
As the co-owner and editor of Ponto por Ponto, an independent online weekly publication, Chamusse frequently contributed critical commentary about the government on a local television station.
The paper says its editorial director was a “victim of murder with a knife”.
In response to the tragic incident, the Mozambique chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa), a regional advocate for press freedom, strongly condemned the killing and highlighted Chamusse’s active role in advocating for press and expression freedoms in the country.
Expressing deep concern, the Committee to Protect Journalists urged Mozambican authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the journalist’s killing.
As of now, Mozambican authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the incident.