SLAJ Demands Investigation After Journalist Alleges Threat by SLPP Official
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate claims that Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Publicity Secretary Moses Sellu Mambu verbally threatened media commentator Thomas Josephus Dixon following a televised broadcast on September 27, 2026.
According to an official complaint lodged with SLAJ, the confrontation occurred at the Africa Young Voices (AYV) studios in Freetown. Dixon alleged that Mambu approached him after the show and stated,
“We will hit you hard! This is the same reason for which your friend Samura was killed the last time.”
The tension arose during a live broadcast in which Dixon offered sharp criticism of the governing party’s administrative management, urging President Julius Maada Bio to assert greater control and remarking that “small boys are in the executive.”
Mambu forcefully rejected Dixon’s commentary during the airtime, characterizing the statements as disrespectful to the ruling party's leadership, including SLPP National Chairman Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa. Dixon later clarified that his remarks were directed at general party management rather than Chairman Songa specifically.
SLAJ confirmed that Dixon’s account is corroborated by an eyewitness statement submitted by AYV broadcast presenter Victor Jones, who observed the interaction.
When contacted by SLAJ Secretary General Edward Fara Marrah, Mambu denied issuing any physical threats, maintaining that he had merely cautioned the journalist to exercise prudence in his commentary following the broadcast.
The press union categorized the incident as “extremely grave and disturbing,” noting the grave implicit reference to Ibrahim Samura, a Sierra Leonean journalist who died from injuries sustained in an assault while reporting on the 2018 elections.
SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara emphasized the institutional risk posed by intimidate tactics directed at media personnel, stating,
“A threat against a journalist should not be seen as a personal matter only; it is a direct threat to the free press and, by extension, the public’s right to know.”
The association has formally requested that the Sierra Leone Police conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter to establish accountability.
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