SANEF Shocked at Arrest of JMPD Officers for Journalist’s Murder

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has learnt with great shock that three Joburg Metro Police Department constables have been arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Godknows Nare.

Nare was shot and killed on April 17, 2017. At the time of his murder, it was widely reported that Nare was killed in what appeared to have been a shootout with Metro police officers near his home in Florida, West of Johannesburg. After the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) launched a probe, they found that the officer’s version of events was not true. According to an Ipid statement it was discovered that “they, in fact, killed the deceased and staged the crime scene to cover their tracks.”
This is a shocking and tragic turn of events and SANEF is outraged that the JMPD officers would allegedly be involved in Nare’s murder.

While there’s no indication at this stage that Nare was killed as a result of his profession and/or any stories he may have been working on, SANEF reiterates that journalism is not a crime and that journalists should be allowed to work without fear of intimidation, threats or murder.
Members of the media, and indeed all South Africans should also be able to trust law enforcement officials and not have to fear for their lives.

For more details please contact:
Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson
083 399 2852
Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson
082 805 7022

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