Responding to yesterday’s attempted murder of journalist Carlitos Candangue by armed men reportedly wearing police uniforms, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said:
“The attempted murder of Carlitos Cadangue, who has been actively reporting on the illegal mining of gold in the province of Manica, is gravely concerning and shows the growing attacks on the country’s journalists simply for doing their job. Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, effectively and transparently investigate the attempt on Carlitos Cadangue’s life and bring to justice in fair trial anyone suspected to be responsible. This was a brazen act designed to silence a journalist who has shone a spotlight on the misdeeds of the powerful and to intimidate others from doing the same.
The attempted murder of Carlitos Cadangue, who has been actively reporting on the illegal mining of gold in the province of Manica, is gravely concerning and shows the growing attacks on the country’s journalists simply for doing their job.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
“Authorities must also take urgent steps to effectively uphold the human rights of everyone in the country and protect journalists from harassment, intimidation and threats to their lives, whether from state actors or private individuals. They must ensure the safety and security of journalists, human rights defenders and activists in the country and end the prevailing culture of impunity which continues to fuel these attacks.”
This was a brazen act designed to silence a journalist who has shone a spotlight on the misdeeds of the powerful and to intimidate others from doing the same.
Tigere Chagutah
Background
On 4 February, unknown armed men, whom the journalist said were dressed in the uniform of national police fired dozens of bullets at the vehicle of the SOICO Television (STV) journalist Carlitos Cadangue in Chimoio city, Manica province, at around 6pm. At the time, Carlitos Cadangue was driving home with his son. Before the attempted murder, Carlitos Cadangue received death threats following his reports on illegal mining in the province of Manica, leading to the suspension of all mining companies operating in the province, including those involved in illegal mining.
Amnesty International has reported on other journalists who have been murdered or forcibly disappeared. João Chamusse, the editor of the journal Ponto por Ponto was found dead in his home on 14 December 2023. Arlindo Chissale has not been seen since 7 January 2025. Witnesses who spoke with his family revealed that on the day of his enforced disappearance, they saw him being removed from a public minibus and beaten before being driven away by alleged members of the defence and security forces.
