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 site visit with SAHRC and Municipality following ongoing sewage dumping in Mooi River

AfriForum on 3 February requested the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in writing to urgently conduct a joint site visit with the J.B. Marks Local Municipality regarding the ongoing sewage dumping in the Mooi River. The purpose of the visit is to inspect problem areas such as Poortjie Dam, various locations along the Mooi River, pumping stations and the sewage pipeline behind MooiRivier Mall and conduct a thorough investigation.

This request follows the Municipality’s letter to the SAHRC on 21 January acknowledging the sewage crisis. However, the Municipality did not send the letter to AfriForum – the original complainant – despite repeated requests for direct involvement and feedback.

Although AfriForum notes the Municipality’s reference to action plans, contractors and planned infrastructure upgrades to stem the crisis, the reality remains that sewage spills have been ongoing for years and that communities are still exposed to serious health, environmental and human rights risks.

“Written assurances and plans on paper are not sufficient. The Mooi River is still being polluted and communities are bearing the consequences. Without independent oversight, transparency and physical verification, these promises cannot be accepted as sufficient,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.

In addition to the site visit, AfriForum also demands clear answers on the qualifications and compliance status of all appointed contractors and engineers; evidence that budgets have been formally approved and earmarked for all short, medium and long-term interventions; and binding timelines for the completion of projects with accountable reporting mechanisms.

AfriForum emphasises that the matter is not just about service delivery, but about the constitutional right to a healthy environment, as contained in Section 24 of the Constitution.

“AfriForum supports sustainable and legal solutions but cannot accept continued delays, limited transparency or the exclusion of affected communities. The situation requires urgent, tangible action – not just promises,” says Douglas Bourn, AfriForum’s Chairperson for the Potchefstroom branch.

AfriForum calls on the SAHRC and the J.B. Marks Municipality to handle this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves and to confirm dates for a joint site visit without further delay.

Get involved with Potchefstroom’s AfriForum branch and neighbourhood watch and help to preserve and keep your environment safe. Contact Bourn at 083 232 1020 to join the branch and Cornelia Blignaut at 073 390 4133 to join the neighbourhood watch.