Tanzanian authorities have freed two CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) staff a day after they were detained and their passports seized.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said Muthoki Mumo and Angela Quintal, who were both detained in an unknown location have returned to their hotel.
“South Africa’s High Commissioner Mr. Thami Mseleku is meeting with them to discuss last night’s [Wednesday] events. He will then engage Tanzanian authorities. DIRCO spokesperson, Mr. Ndivhuwo Mabaya, spoke to Ms. Quintal this morning,” the SA Foreign ministry tweeted on Thursday.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the two journalists were back in their hotel.
“South Africa’s High Commissioner Mr. Thami Mseleku is meeting with them to discuss last night’s events. He will then engage Tanzanian authorities. DIRCO spokesperson, Mr. Ndivhuwo Mabaya, spoke to Ms. Quintal this morning,” the SA Foreign ministry said in a tweet on Thursday.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson had on Thursday told the CNN that it was “closely following” Tanzania’s arrest of the two journalists.
“We continue to engage with our Government of Tanzania counterparts on a wide range of issues, including those related to human rights,” the US State Department said.
“The United States remains committed to the values of democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression, and prosperity in Tanzania.”
Ms. Quintal is the CPJ’s Africa program coordinator while Ms. Mumo is the organization’s sub-Saharan Africa representative.
The two were on a reporting mission in the country.
CGTN