The owner of Thulamela Computer Academy in Thohoyandou, Emmanuel Rudzani Mukosi (31) of Ngovhela Marude, admitted guilt to a charge of common assault on Friday and paid an admission of guilt fine of R500. This follows death threats to a correspondent of Limpopo Mirror, Mr Elmon Tshikhudo, after the publication of a story which exposed alleged unregistered colleges in the area. The report appeared on the front page of the Limpopo Mirror last week.

“I will never be threatened by people who think that I will stop telling the truth. They can threaten me, but only the truth will set me free. This is really a journalistic baptism of fire which will encourage me to work hard and tell the truth as it is,” said Tshikhudo angrily.

He added that he had received a call from one of the college owners, telling him that his days were numbered. He said that he had also received text messages, one of which reads: "You are against me. That’s why you used your power which is extra than the policy of taking the photo of my boards."

He continued: “I immediately rushed to the police to report the matter. This will be a hard lesson to other community members who foolishly interfere in other people’s work without knowing the facts.”

Tshikhudo said that he will continue to do what he is born for – writing balanced stories without fear or favour. "Freedom of information and of expression are the basic rights of every journalist. I always follow all duties set by loyalty and good faith; the respect of the truth of facts is my duty. A journalist has to respect, cultivate and defend the right to information of all people; for these reasons, I research and diffuse every piece of information that I consider of public interest in observance of truth and with a wide accuracy of it. My responsibility towards people always prevails over any other thing. I will never subordinate my responsibility to other people´s interests.”

After learning of the R500 fine, Tshikhudu said that he was “deeply hurt, and that the sentence meted out was too lenient. He should have been taken to court and given a sentence that would deter him from meddling with the media,” he added. According to Tshikhudo, he is contemplating seeking other legal avenues.

“I will not let the matter rest like this. I will see to it that the perpetrator is punished, so as to deter others,” he said.

The founder of Vhembe Journalists Forum (VJF), Wilson Dzebu, who had also received several death threats when he was still writing for the Limpopo Mirror, said that the VJF strongly condemns the continuous death threats directed at its members. “As we all know, journalists have a duty to inform the citizens for whom they are working. Journalists hold the responsibility of informing the public and keeping a watchful eye on public affairs. Journalists are protected by the constitution, so that they can bring us fair and accurate news without being threatened.”

The editor of Limpopo Mirror, Wikus Lee, said that he was proud that his editorial staff continued to make visible marks in the world of journalism. “We are very pleased by the courage and persistence Tshikhudo has shown since he joined our big family five years ago.”