The Godknows Nare Memorial Fund

Godknows Nare Memorial Fund.
Godknows Nare was one of the best investigative journalists I have ever met. A Zimbabwean living in South Africa, he worked as a journalist and fixer for local and international news organisations - including the SABC's Special Assignment, eNCA, BBC, Al Jazeera and the New York Times. He was also a friend of mine.

I met him during my last trip to South Africa when I interviewed him about rhino poachers . He had spent six harrowing months following, interviewing and filming rhino poachers around Kruger National Park. During this time, his life was threatened, but, as he did with all of his other projects, he persevered. 

His work also included a documentary into Zimbabwean prisons and investigations exposing Mugabe (hence him living in South Africa). He was a fearless pioneer for truth and justice. 

Last week, he was shot dead outside of his sister's house. His colleagues and friends believe it was a targeted shooting. 

This is a fund set up to help his wife and three small children pay for a funeral and help with living expenses. 

If you don't know:
-  South Africa has a paltry social safety net compared to developed countries. There is no welfare, no benefits, nothing. If you can't afford your rent, get hurt and don't have family to take you in, etc., you are out on the streets [From a reader: There is indeed a welfare system and most families in South Africa get at least a childcare grant due to living in poverty. It is, however, a measly amount. In addition to this, many impoverished South Africans do not pay rent as they get free housing].

- In South Africa, in order to pay income taxes, you must make over $600 a month. As a freelance journalist, Godknows (along with 80 percent of the country) didn't meet that threshold.

In full disclosure, Godknows' death did hit the Johannesburg papers , in which he was accused of either stealing a car, running from the police or shooting at police. But later reports say that his car was targeted and that the initial police claims that shots were fired from his vehicle were "unfounded." Eyewitnesses also say that police shot out the tires of his car and when he got out of the vehicle he was shot dead.
Let me also add: the SAPS (South African Police Service) is notoriously corrupt and there is no way Godknows was involved in anything shady. I am not a conspiracy theorist nor do I say or post things like this lightly (I have never done anything like this before).

RIP, Godknows, and blessings to your family.