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UNESCO chief condemns killing of Iringa journalist

The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova.

THE Head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has condemned the recent killing of a Tanzanian journalist, Mr Daudi Mwangosi, and called for an independent investigation into the matter. 

"I am deeply concerned by the killing of Daudi Mwangosi and call on authorities to investigate his death and bring those responsible to justice," the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, said in a press statement.
 
Mr Mwangosi (40)  was killed while covering efforts by police to disperse supporters of opposition party Chadema in Nyololo village, Iringa region on September 2 this year. "It is essential for democracy and rule of law that journalists be allowed to carry out their duties and exercise their right to free speech safely," Ms Bokova said.
 
The government has already formed a special committee of five people drawn from the judiciary, media fraternity and police force to investigate the killing of the journalist.The special committee is chaired by retired Judge Stephen Ihema while other members include Ms Pili Mtambalike of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), Theophil Makunga of Mwananchi Communications Ltd and Editors' Forum and Criminal Investigation Department representative, Deputy Commissioner of Police Isaya Mngulu.
 
Dr Nchimbi told journalists recently that the committee has been given 30 days to probe the killing of the journalist and present him with a report.Already one policeman, Pacificus Cleophase Simon (23), has been arraigned before a court in the region charged with the murder of the journalist.