“I will not be silenced,” said ActionSA’s Tonic Manchidi

JANE FURSE – Tonic Manchidi, ActionSA Treasurer in Limpopo, has vowed to continue speaking out against corruption and injustice despite facing sustained cyberbullying, intimidation, and threats.

Manchidi’s troubles began after he publicly expressed frustration about an illegal roadblock on the R579 Road, exposing the unlawful activity involving private security companies, a local lodge and Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM).

In his statement released in December 2025, Manchidi alleged that the security company, appointed by one of the biggest lodges in the area since the festive season holidays, had been conducting illegal roadblocks on the R579, stopping and interrogating motorists, questioning about where they are coming from and where they are going.

Manchidi questioned why the Makhuduthamaga Municipality Traffic Police, who are legally mandated to control traffic on the road, have surrendered authority to the private security company.

According to Manchidi, since then, his family members have been pressured to silence him, and community members have allegedly been mobilised to attack and discredit him.

In a public statement, Manchidi revealed that his neighbours have been warned about the “danger” posed by those behind the private entities, with some stating he would be “killed like a fly”.

“I place this on record with a clear conscience and without fear. The day I chose to become a political activist, I fully understood the dangers that come with standing up against powerful interests,” Manchidi said.

Despite these threats, Manchidi remains undeterred. “Intimidation will not deter me. If anything, these threats have strengthened my resolve and confirmed that I am confronting the right issues,” he said.

Manchidi stressed that he will continue fighting for justice, accountability, and community development without fear. “I would rather die standing for a justice cause than live as a coward who surrendered to fear,” he added.

Manchidi stated that intimidation will not deter him and that he will continue confronting the challenges faced by his community without fear.

 “I will not be silenced. I make no apologies for speaking out against injustice, illegality, and the capture of our public spaces by private interests and criminal elements,” he said.

He announced plans to take the fight to the streets and the ballot, promising to challenge the broken system democratically in the November Local Government Elections. “The struggle continues. The people shall prevail,” Manchidi declared.