Mpumalanga journalist held at gunpoint

By Jurina Nkwazi
7 August 2010

A City Press journalist has been held at gun point at his home after meeting with a source in Mpumalanga.

The publication's Mpumalanga bureau chief Sizwe Sama Yende returned from his meeting with his source at about midnight on Friday when he was ambushed by a gunman.

Sama Yende believes he was followed home.

"I opened the gate and I entered the house. As soon as I turned to close the sliding door this man was walking fast toward the door."

"He said 'stop what you're doing don't close the door'," said Sama Yende.

He managed to close the door and lift the handle to lock it. He then quickly slipped into a bedroom nearby, called out to his wife and went to activate the security alarm.

The man was trying to open the door but fled when the alarm went off.

He said that the "environment" in the province was not "conducive" to the practice of journalism.

It is unclear if the attack was work related. The incident has been reported to police.