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.

Local Government Affairs Media statements | Media statements

SUCCESS: Johannesburg Metro’s exploitation of schools through tax increases declared unconstitutional

ByAfriForum 01/03/202301/03/2023

AfriForum achieved success in the High Court in Johannesburg where the court declared the action of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to take away the property category of educational institutions unconstitutional.

“AfriForum considers this ruling a great victory. Instead of targeting schools, the metro should work with schools instead. We also see that with this order that the court also protects schools for the next tax year,” says Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs.

This legal action follows after the metro council removed a property category that applied to educational institutions. Public institutions will henceforth be assessed in the category of public service property and private schools as public enterprises. The tax rates in these categories are dramatically higher, regardless of whether private institutions qualify to be recognised as non-profit organisations and are therefore eligible for relief.

According to Morné Mostert, AfriForum’s manager for Local Government Affairs, this is also a message to municipalities that they must consult with communities and institutions. “The metro cannot enforce a decision if a proper process has not been followed. Educational institutions and community-based organisations should be given the opportunity to make suggestions, not only because this decision had a major impact on constitutional rights but also because the suggestions might have steered the decision towards a more rational way out.”