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.

Environmental affairs Media statements | Media statements

Illegal mining activities near south of KNP must stop now – AfriForum

ByAfriForum 30/09/202530/09/2025

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (English)

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (Afrikaans)

AfriForum is requesting that the mining activities, which are taking place without the necessary permission near the southern part of the Kruger National Park, stop immediately. This follows the organisation’s attention being drawn to alleged illegal drilling and exploration activities already taking place on various Tenbosch, Turfbelt and Tecklenburg Ranch lands. The organisation has instructed its legal team to write to Tenbosch Mining, Black Tip Drilling and Kimopax to cease these activities.

According to AfriForum, there is currently no approved environmental impact assessment (EIA) or environmental management programme (EMP) for the relevant mining rights application (MP30/5/1/2/2/10259 MR), and no consent has been received from the landowners or tenants as required by legislation. There is also no evidence that the community has agreed to the activities taking place or that they are aware of them.

AfriForum demands that all activities be ceased by 7 October 2025 and that a written undertaking to this effect be provided to the organisation. If not, AfriForum will apply for an urgent interdict and claim punitive costs.

“These mining activities, if indeed carried out without the necessary permission and approval, represent a serious violation of the community’s rights and environmental management in the area. We will not allow the law to be ignored and the voices of communities to be disregarded,” says Marais de Vaal, AfriForum’s Advisor for Environmental Affairs.

AfriForum has also notified the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and requested formal action to confirm the legal position and cease any illegal activities.