Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

AfriForum’s Albertinia farm watch arrests plant smugglers

ByAfriForum 18/09/202319/09/2023

Two suspects appeared in the local magistrate’s court in Riversdale on 13 September on charges of illegal possession of protected plant species. This follows after members of AfriForum’s Albertinia farm watch and Riversdale neighbourhood watch helped to arrest two suspects who were in illegal possession of nearly 50 plants of more than 25 different endangered plant species on 11 September. Several proteas, fynbos and succulent plants were found in their possession when the police arrested them in Riversdale.

These arrests stem from smart patrolling by members of the Albertinia farm watch who noticed a red Hyundai vehicle, which had previously been reported as suspicious, in the area at around 11:20 on the day in question. Several plants were clearly visible in the vehicle and the South African Police Service (SAPD) and Cape Nature Riversdale were informed of the suspicious vehicle. Upon their arrival, it was determined that the suspects were indeed in illegal possession of endangered proteas, fynbos and succulent plant species and were arrested.

According to Johan Wessels, security chairperson of AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch, the smuggling of succulents and fynbos, as well as numerous other fauna and flora, is a huge challenge in the Southern Cape.

“Several AfriForum branches in this region work closely with the local police and community policing forums (CPF) to arrest these smugglers. The stolen plants are often hidden in old vehicle tires and transported. A filled tire is then sold on the black market for thousands of rands,” explains Wessels.

“These events are once again proof of the value of excellent cooperation between community members, the SAPS and Cape Nature,” says Wessels. “I would like to thank everyone who worked together to recover these endangered plants. AfriForum will continue to work with the SAPS and Cape Nature to protect our environment.”

Get involved in your local AfriForum branch or neighbourhood watch to make a difference in your community and protect the environment. Join AfriForum or send an email to marthinus.erasmus@afriforum.co.za for more information.