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.

Community Affairs Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum demands urgent intervention in illegal taxi operations on busy Knysna street

ByAfriForum 09/09/202509/09/2025

AfriForum calls on Knysna Municipality to take urgent action against the drivers of minibus taxis who illegally use New Street as an informal taxi rank. The taxis cause continuous disruption, serious traffic congestion and pose an ongoing risk to businesses, residents and pedestrians in the area.

The New Street Business Group already submitted a letter to the Municipality in May 2025 highlighting these concerns. To date, however, there has been no visible enforcement or noticeable action by the Municipality. During a meeting with AfriForum on 10 July, the Municipality indicated that a formal meeting would be arranged with all relevant role players. However, such a meeting has not yet taken place.

“The presence of minibus taxis in New Street is not only a nuisance, but a real danger to public safety. Access to businesses is obstructed, traffic is chaotic and pedestrians are put at serious risk. This is a clear failure of law enforcement in terms of the Knysna Municipality’s own by-laws,” says Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape.

The seriousness of the matter is further underlined by an incident on 4 September, when a reckless taxi driver caused an accident on the corner of New Street and Waterfront Drive. The driver hurled insults and threats at bystanders as they took photographs of the incident.

In a letter sent by AfriForum to the Knysna Municipality yesterday, the organisation demands a full explanation of the Municipality’s knowledge of and involvement in the matter to date; a detailed outline of immediate and long-term measures to end the illegal activity and restore safety; and a fixed date for a meeting with all parties involved.

AfriForum has requested that the Municipality provide a written response within ten working days. Should the Municipality fail to respond or take action, AfriForum will be forced to escalate the matter.