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 intervenes after Municipality threatens to cut Sannieshof’s power supply unlawfully

AfriForum has once again come to the aid of the residents of Sannieshof after the Tswaing Local Municipality allegedly threatened to cut off the power supply to businesses and households in the area. Numerous households and businesses declared disputes last year after the Municipality insisted that they were in arrears on their electricity bills. The Municipality has previously tried to cut the power supply and has apparently threatened to do so again this week.

AfriForum has highlighted in a letter to the Municipality that if it continues to cut the power supply to households and businesses, it will be done against the provisions of the Local Government Systems Act. Although the Municipality has the right to implement debt collection and credit control measures, including cutting power supply for overdue accounts, Section 102(2) of the Local Government Systems Act 32 of 2000 places a clear prohibition on this if a dispute has been declared.

“This means that no credit control measures, including cutting power supply, may be implemented until a valid dispute in terms of Section 102(2) of the Local Government Systems Act is resolved,” says JP Nel, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Stellaland.

Some of the residents and business owners declared a dispute against the Municipality more than six months ago because their electricity bills were incorrect, not overdue. In its letter, AfriForum insisted that the Municipality should strive to resolve these disputes rather than act unlawfully.

AfriForum further requested that the Municipality keep residents informed about the status of their disputes and should also ensure that residents are informed, in writing, if their power supply is going to be cut off.

“AfriForum will not allow municipalities to act unlawfully and will do everything in its power to ensure that residents receive the necessary support. The Tswaing Municipality has a responsibility towards its residents to ensure that any pending disputes are resolved as soon as possible and that all bills are sent out correctly,” says Nel.

The civil rights organisation reserves the right to consider further legal action if the Municipality continues to act unlawfully.