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 lays criminal complaint against another trigger-happy politician

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)

AfriForum laid a criminal complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the contravention of the Firearms Control Act against a former mayor of Johannesburg, Thapelo Amad. Amad is currently a member of the mayoral committee for Community Development in Johannesburg.

Earlier this month, a storm erupted around Amad after a video was shared on social media of a man firing multiple shots into the air during a funeral. The video was allegedly taken at a funeral in Soweto in August last year. The shooter in the video appears to be Amad.

According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, AfriForum’s complaint follows in response to the alleged failure of law enforcement agencies to investigate the serious allegations regarding the discharge of a firearm in a built-up area and to take action against the suspect.

AfriForum has now requested the SAPS to open and investigate five charges against Amad in terms of the Firearms Control Act. The proposed charges include:

the unlawful possession of a firearm;
the unlawful possession of ammunition;
the discharge of a firearm in a built-up area without good reason;
the failure to take reasonable precautions in the handling of a firearm to protect persons or property; and
the discharge of a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety or property of a person.

AfriForum emphasises that politicians are not above the law, and failure to act decisively in cases such as these undermines the rule of law and public trust in the justice system.

“It is disappointing that some politicians and politically connected individuals still think it is acceptable to endanger the lives of civilians for the so-called purpose of entertainment. We have seen this in the case of the EFF leader Julius Malema, and the law must be applied consistently – without fear, favour or political bias,” explains Broodryk.

He further maintains that the continued failure to act against such behaviour contributes to a dangerous culture of impunity.

“When political leaders act recklessly and face no consequences, it sends a clear message that lawlessness is tolerated. That is a message South Africa simply cannot afford. Reckless firearm use is not a trivial matter – it is potentially deadly, and those who engage in it must be held accountable,” concludes Broodryk.

Meanwhile, AfriForum will continue to monitor developments in this case and, if necessary, take further steps to ensure accountability and maintain the principle of equality before the law.