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

Devolution of policing power now essential to limit risk of political interference in SAPS – AfriForum

ByAfriForum 28/11/202528/11/2025

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)

AfriForum today, in response to the release of the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics for the first and second quarters of 2025/2026, stressed that the devolution of policing power to the provincial level is now, more than ever, essential. According to the civil rights organisation, it has already been proven that a decentralised police service significantly limits the risk of political interference, such as that which is currently being brought to light in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, welcomes Firoz Cachalia, Acting Minister of Police’s open condemnation of problems with political interference and the abuse of political power in the SAPS. Cachalia emphasised, among other things, that political interference and the abuse of political power have had a “harmful effect on the functioning of a police service in this country.” The minister also emphasised that South Africa needs a professional police service which acts “outside of the political process, without fear or favour”.

“Devolution of policing power is probably the most effective tool at our disposal to combat the risk and realities of political interference and abuse of power. In addition, devolution of power will limit the current bureaucratic red tape, ensure faster response time and adaptability to unique local crime trends, and promote accountability,” explains Broodryk.

Civic initiatives, such as AfriForum’s more than 177 neighbourhood watches, are already making a huge contribution to crime prevention at the local level nationwide. Community initiatives could have an even greater impact within a decentralised policing system and achieve closer cooperation – without the burdens of a national police force’s instructions.

“The focus must now be on combating, investigating and prosecuting crime, not on unreasonable clinging to central power at the expense of citizens and the country’s safety,” concludes Broodryk.