The constitution guarantees people the freedom to express their views and grievances without fear of prosecution.

The constitution guarantees people the freedom to express their views and grievances without fear of prosecution.

This freedom also extends to the news media. It is essential to enable them to play a watchdog role - keeping those in power or in key positions under check. Sadly though, this freedom of the press appears to be coming increasingly under attack by those whose actions cannot withstand the spotlight. The same people are out to persecute the media.

This is as true of some in officialdom and public agencies as it is of those in the private sector.

And this is particularly true of such wolves in sheep's clothing as Mama Jackey Maarohanye, whose criminal deeds and cruelty put her on par with the vilest criminals.

The Beast of Soweto has become too desperate to conceal the crimes she perpetrates in the name of charity.

She and her thugs are now trying to scare off journalists.

They kidnapped our driver and reporter at the weekend. The reporter, Vusi Ndlovu, was also brutally assaulted.

This deranged woman and her evil ilk must not fool themselves. We have a message for them: threatening and attacking journalists is like waving a red flag at a raging bull. It can only serve to galvanise us into redoubling our efforts.

Having said that, we wonder whether the cops could not have acted more decisively in ending the seven hour-long ordeal our reporter and driver endured.