Photo of David Hundeyin's Ghanaian refugee passport trends

Popular investigative journalist, David Hundeyin has revealed that he has used his Ghanaian refugee passport for local and international travels for the past two years.

Hundeyin who was detained at the Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe on Thursday, July 20 made the disclosure in response to Nick Mangwana, the Zimbabwe Permanent Secretary in the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service who had earlier disclosed why the journalist was detained at the airport.

According to Mangwana in a series of tweets, "David came with Ghanaian Refuge papers claiming he was a Nigerian who was a refugee 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."

Mr. Hundeyin in response noted that he had put a call to the Zimbabwean embassy and it was confirmed that he won't need a visa to travel to the country.

He was said in a statement: "I wasn't aware that it is standard operating procedure in Zimbabwe for the country's minister of information to tweet the asylum status of a foreigner, but since you've resorted to telling half truths, perhaps you should mention to your audience that I came into Zimbabwe with this valid Ghanaian refugee passport, which I have used to travel extensively over the world for 2 years."

"I'm sure you saw the valid UK Visa inside it. I'm also sure that you saw the numerous entry and exit stamps inside it belonging to multiple jurisdictions inside and outside Africa. Only in Zimbabwe have I EVER had an issue traveling with this document."

"You might also want to share with your audience that I put a call through to the Zimbabwean embassy in Accra before I travelled to confirm that I did not need a visa, and that J was expressly advised that as long as the airline was happy to recognise the travel document, I would have no problem coming into Zimbabwe visa-free."

"I know this despicable Twitter stunt of yours does not represent the behaviour of the generality of Zimbabweans, many of whom I have had as dear friends since university 15 years ago, so I will not hold it against Zimbabwe. From experience, I know that it is possible for a great country to be held captive by a criminal political elite who lack legitimacy."

"Whatever you thought you achieved by doing this, I assure you that you should have completed the job yesterday because you will not like what happens next."

Recall in earlier tweets, Hundeyin said he was detained inside “a smelly locked room for nearly seven hours”.

According to him, the Zimbabwe government claimed that Hundeyin needed a visa to be in the country.

The journalist, who appears to still be in detention as of press time, said, “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 wasn't aware that it is standard operating procedure in Zimbabwe for the country's minister of information to tweet the asylum status of a foreigner, but since you've resorted to telling half truths, perhaps you should mention to your audience that I came into Zimbabwe with… https://t.co/vF5lUkNaUx pic.twitter.com/upArdnR2cK

— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) July 20, 2023