By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) - The Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders (RMDDH) has demanded an explanation for the search and seizure of electronic equipment belonging to investigative journalist, Estacio Valoi, under a warrant issued by the Pemba City Law Court, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
According to the RMDDH, the seizure warrant covered all the electronic devices, including mobile phones, computers and tablets, belonging to Valoi, who runs the “Moz24h” news portal. The devices were to be handed over to the Pemba District Prosecutor’s Office “for procedural purposes”.
The warrant did not give any reasons for the seizure. However, Valoi told reporters that he had received an “unexpected visit” from officers of the Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) on Tuesday morning, who presented the warrant and confiscated the material. They also demanded that Valoi delete an article related to an investigation on timber smuggling he conducted in 2025.
Despite the warrant, the RMDDH considered it “legitimate and necessary” to question the necessity, proportionality and impact of the measure on journalistic activity. It noted that the article SERNIC wanted to delete concerned an alleged attempt to export 111 containers of timber via the Port of Beira, in central Mozambique.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, RMDDH demands public clarification of the grounds that led to the search and seizure carried out at the residence of journalist Estácio Valoi, and clarification of the allegations regarding the deletion of journalistic content and information during the execution of the operation,” reads a statement issued by the NGO.
RMDDH also called for guarantees that the seized material will be handled in accordance with the law, respecting professional secrecy and the protection of sources. It demanded the opening of an independent investigation into any excesses or irregularities during the operation; and full respect for press freedom, freedom of expression, and citizens’ right to access information.
RMDDH said that the warrant to seize material from Valoi “cannot be analysed in isolation. These facts form part of an increasingly concerning national and regional context, marked by the growing use of judicial, procedural and administrative mechanisms against journalists, activists and human rights defenders,” it declared. (MT)
