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 prepares for next steps in Melgisedek case

Soundbite: Arno Roodt (English)

Soundbite: Arno Roodt (Afrikaans)

AfriForum continues its fight against the relocation of hundreds of residents from the Melgisedek building, near the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, to a site in Gezina. This follows after the High Court in Pretoria today dismissed the civil rights organisation’s application for an urgent interdict to stop the relocation. AfriForum is now considering the possibility of appealing or joining as a party to the eviction case between the Melgisedek residents and the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.

The court upheld an eviction order on 3 March, allowing the Tshwane Metro to relocate the Melgisedek residents. AfriForum therefore brought an urgent court application after it emerged that the Metro intended to relocate approximately 500 people to an open plot of land on the corner of Nico Smith Street and Johan Heyns Drive – without proper infrastructure, planning or consultation with the community.

In their court papers, AfriForum argued that the site was not suitable for a large-scale temporary settlement, that the zoning did not permit it and that the planned development posed serious risks to safety, health and public order. The organisation also highlighted that the Metro had failed to act transparently or to have meaningful engagement with residents and stakeholders.

Although the court did not grant the requested urgent interdict, the core issues raised by AfriForum remain unresolved.

“We respect the court’s decision but fundamentally disagree with the outcome. The reality remains that the Metro is imposing an ill-considered and harmful decision on an established community. The decision will have far-reaching consequences for the residents of the Moot,” says Llewellynn Hemmens, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Pretoria.

Hemmens emphasises that this case is not just about the Pretoria Moot but about the broader principle of accountable government: “The Metro cannot continue to manage crises by simply moving them from one area to another. This is neither sustainable nor fair to the Moot community or Melgisedek residents.”

The Melgisedek residents’ legal team will now file a petition with the Supreme Court of Appeal to try to prevent the relocation. AfriForum will then consider joining as a party to this case or appealing today’s court decision.

“Our legal team will now study the ruling thoroughly and determine what further legal and civil steps can be taken, but this case is far from over,” says Arno Roodt, AfriForum’s Head of Community Structures in the North Region.

In the meantime, AfriForum will continue to apply pressure on the Metro and closely monitor the situation at grassroots level. The organisation will also work with the community to promote safety, order and sustainable solutions.

“The Tshwane Metro and the current dispensation have proven that they do not have the interests of the Moot community at heart. We cannot place all our trust in the judiciary to come to our rescue either. We as a community must do it ourselves. AfriForum will not stand back – we will continue to fight and build for the Moot and its people,” concludes Roodt.

The civil rights organisation also encourages residents of Pretoria to get involved in its branch structures and thus make their community stronger against the crimes of the state. Visit www.wordlid.co.za to become a member today.

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