The standoff between the Government of Zimbabwe and investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, continues after the latter was detained at the airport in Harare.
MDB had earlier reported that Hundeyin claimed that despite arriving in Zimbabwe earlier that day for an event, he and a woman from Uganda were both arbitrarily held at the Harare Airport, in a series of tweets.
Hundeyin tweeted, “I landed in Zimbabwe earlier today, and I have been detained at Harare Airport inside a smelly locked room for nearly 7 hours.
“They said that despite using the travel document of a country with a visa-free relationship, my nationality is still Nigerian, and thus, I need a visa.
“I was processed for removal from their country and locked in a tiny room, but I have heard nothing from anyone for several hours.”
However, the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information has revealed its side of the story.
Responding to queries regarding Hundeyin’s detention, Nick Mangwana, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, revealed that the journalist didn’t make full disclosure.
This situation necessitated his detention, pending the determination of his status.
Mangwana further revealed that Hundeyin travelled into Zimbabwe without a valid visa but his refugee papers from Ghana.
He noted that a visa is required for people in this category but Hundeyin didn’t obtain one before leaving Ghana, therefore, he was ineligible for entry.
Mangwana said, “Since he has chosen to put all his issues out without making full disclosure, it forces us to give details we would have preferred not. But we realize this may affect how Zimbabweans are treated when they visit Nigeria so we are going give the information here.
“David came with Ghanaian Refuge papers claiming he was a Nigerian who was a refuge from his home country. His country of Asylum is Ghana after claiming to be running away from persecution in Nigeria. People in this category certainly need Visas to enter Zimbabwe.
“He wasn’t coming in to work as a journalist. He said he was just coming to visit but without getting a Visa in Ghana first.
“Other parts of his story were also unsatisfactory to the immigration authorities. He was considered not a candidate for entry into Zimbabwe.”
Jaqui, since he has chosen to put all his issues out without making full disclosure, it forces us to give details we would have preferred not. But we realize this may affect how Zimbabweans are treated when they visit Nigeria so we are going give the information here. David came…
— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) July 20, 2023
