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 | Safety Media statements

Cele is protecting Ace’s mining thieves

ByAfriForum 17/08/202317/08/2023

The civil rights organisation AfriForum strongly condemns the recent actions by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State. This follows after a farmer near Hennenman, was arrested last week after he confronted unknown men who were engaged in illegal mining activities on his farm. The men are employees of the mining company Alberto Road Markings and Civils, which is extracting gravel on his farm without permission and is said to have links with the controversial former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule.

The farmer took the alleged perpetrators’ vehicle keys and cell phones while he waited for the police to arrive. However, the police did not pay attention to the issue about the illegal mining activities but instead arrested the farmer on a charge of theft.

“The fact that the farmer was arrested after he confronted the alleged perpetrators on his farm is extremely unacceptable. It is particularly disturbing that the farmer, despite the fact that he was able to prove that he is the owner of the land and was able to provide evidence of the illegal activities, was still arrested on his own farm,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community safety.

The alleged links between the company and Magashule – as well as the fact that Magashule’s company, Sedtrade, received a large part of the provincial road contracts during his tenure – casts a shadow over the whole matter.

“The actions of these police members make it clear that Minister Cele has transformed parts of the SAPS into political security officers, who protect corrupt politicians like Magashule and their partners,” concludes Broodryk.

As with the illegal strikes in the Western Cape, Police Minister Bheki Cele once again turned his back on victims of crime and instead protected political friends.

AfriForum stands firmly behind this farmer and all farmers who find themselves in similar situations. The organisation believes in a fair and impartial legal system that treats all citizens equally. AfriForum will keep a close eye on the matter and intervene if it appears that there is political interference in this matter.