In an alarming development, it would appear that Quintal’s captors used the former Mail & Guardian editor’s cellphone to falsely tweet that she and Mumo had been released.

The CTPC believes that the arbitrary detention of journalists is a direct and dangerous threat to media freedom and access to information, and the club urges the national government to look into the matter as a priority and convey a strong message of disapproval to the Tanzanian government, who have yet to offer a credible explanation for their bullying behaviour.

Quintal, who now works for the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists, and Mumo were arrested at their Dar es Salaam hotel by officers who identified themselves as working with the Tanzanian immigration authority.

The officers searched the pair’s belongings and confiscated their passports before they were led away.

According to the South African International Relations Department, the pair have since been released — but without their passports.

Journalists must be free to do their work without interference from repressive regimes.

Cape Town Press Club Committee