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.

AfriForum demands intervention against dumping of refuse, carcasses along Orkney Road

AfriForum calls on the Matlosana Local Municipality to urgently intervene in the ongoing illegal dumping of refuse and carcasses along the back road to Orkney, at the Ysterspruit intersection. This serious problem has persisted for some time without any effective intervention from the Municipality.

According to AfriForum’s letter to the Municipality dated 30 April, the situation has already reached a critical point and poses a serious threat to public health, the environment and surrounding agricultural activities. The dumping of household waste, construction debris and rotting carcasses attracts vermin, spreads diseases and pollutes water sources, especially given the proximity to the Ysterspruit.

“This type of decay in service delivery is unacceptable. The Municipality has a clear legal obligation to act, but is failing to perform even basic management functions,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.

AfriForum points out that the continued illegal dumping coupled with the Municipality’s failure to resolve the issue constitutes a breach of several pieces of national legislation aimed at protecting the environment and public health. This includes, among others, legislation relating to environmental management, waste management, water protection and public health.

The organisation has formally requested that the Municipality urgently inspect the site and document the extent of the problem; remove all waste and carcasses legally and safely; identify and act against offenders; and implement sustainable measures to prevent further dumping.

AfriForum has also given the Municipality 14 working days to provide written feedback outlining an action plan and timeframe for resolving the matter.

“Communities can no longer be exposed to health risks and environmental damage due to municipal negligence. If prompt action is not taken, AfriForum will consider further steps to hold the Municipality accountable,” says Pretorius.

“The Municipality now has the opportunity to fulfil this neglected responsibility and address the health risks in our communities,” says S.W. Scott, AfriForum’s Chairperson for the Klerksdorp branch.

To join AfriForum’s Klerksdorp branch, contact Scott at 082 806 7484.