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.

Media statements | Neighborhood Watch Media Statements

AfriForum’s neighbourhood and farm watches simulate farm attack and hostage release

ByAfriForum 25/07/202325/07/2023

AfriForum’s Herald farm watch simulated a farm attack and hostage release scenario on 21 July. The exercise was practical training for farm and neighbourhood watches to react efficiently, be organised and be disciplined during a farm attack.

The operation consisted of the tactical evacuation of a house by the following proto teams: Waboomskraal, Zebra and Herald. During the exercise, the teams freed a “hostage” and secured the house.

Aerial assistance provided by a drone was given to the tactical teams. The event was organised and carried out by the Herald farm watch to bring about cooperation between the various security structures in the area. “We know that we cannot necessarily prevent incidents, but we can learn how to deal with them. This is the first of many simulations, and we plan to regularly simulate different scenarios in preparation to act effectively, remove victims from the situation and clinically hand over the scene to authorities,” says Gus du Toit, leader of the Herald farm watch.

“Farm attacks have been on the rise in the Southern Cape since April this year, therefore, our members must be trained and prepared. No community is safe if there is a lack of communication and cooperation. Together we are stronger,” says Dian Heyns, leader of the Herald farm watch.

This exercise served as preparation to draw up a contingency plan for the greater George area on 9 September in collaboration with Major General Roland de Vries. The branch invites all the security structures in the George area to provide input on this occasion and participate in the planning. Later in the year, the branch is planning a workshop with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to get input from them and other relevant role players.

“We must act against crime. Everyone agrees that the situation is deteriorating daily, and this highlights how important it is to protect ourselves,” says Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape.

For more information, or to become involved contact Marthinus Erasmus on 081 216 9602.