“Investigations into the death of Samuel Wazizi are still on” – Joseph Beti Asomo

Cameroon’s minister delegate at the presidency of the Republic in charge of defence says government is still investigating issues sorounding the death of journalist Samuel Wazizi.

Joseph Beti Asomo responding to questions from members of parliament at the National Assembly in a question and answer session Thursday April 1st 2021 insisted that security and defence services are in the process of investigating what caused the death of Wazizi and where the body has been kept.

The response of the minister has shocked some Cameroonians given that government had earlier stated that Samuel Wazizi died of “severe sepsis” in a military hospital in Yaounde on the 17th of August 2019.

June 5th 2020, the head of communication unit at the ministry of defence in Cameroon Captain Cyril Serge Atonfact Nguemo denied all allegations that Wazizi died in military custody as a result of torture by the military.

Samuel Wazizi journalist working with Chillen Muzik Television -CMTV Buea in the South West region of Cameroon was arrested on August 2nd 2019 in Muea in the South and detained in a police station on accusations of collaborating with separatist fighters. An accusation Wazizi and his lawyers denied at the police station.

Five days after, he was transferred to a military facility in Buea on August 7th and later taken to Yaounde where he remain in the hands of the military incommunicado until his death was announced.

Since the death of Samuel Wazizi was announced, his family has been on the run following threats from unidentified persons.


Mbatho Ntan.