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 raises alarm over dangerous crossing for learners in Tumahole

AfriForum today requested the Ngwathe Local Municipality to urgently erect a bridge in Tumahole, Parys to ensure the safety of learners of the Mandela Extension. In a letter to the Municipality, the civil rights organisation highlighted that these learners are exposed to dangerous conditions on their daily route to school.

It recently came to AfriForum’s attention that there is no bridge or safe crossing for learners to get to school. When the rain falls, learners have to be helped by adults to move through flowing stormwater, as there is no crossing and it is too dangerous to cross alone.

“It is unacceptable that children are put at risk due to the Municipality’s failure to provide basic infrastructure. This is a direct violation of the Municipality’s duty to deliver safe and sustainable services to communities,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.

AfriForum has requested the Municipality to provide urgent feedback on:

why there is no safe crossing or bridge for learners;
what immediate steps are being taken to ensure children’s safety; and
when appropriate infrastructure will be constructed.

While stormwater frequently causes unsafe conditions in Tumahole, the Municipality’s failure to properly maintain stormwater systems in town caused streets to turn into rivers after Parys received 70 mm of rain on Tuesday evening. AfriForum accordingly demanded that the Municipality provide answers as to why stormwater systems are not being properly maintained.

“In terms of Sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution, municipalities are obligated to deliver basic services in a sustainable and safe manner and to give priority to the basic needs of communities. This Municipality cannot then justify its spending on legal proceedings while infrastructure is crumbling,” says Pretorius.

Although the High Court has already determined time and again that service delivery in Ngwathe is inadequate and requires intervention, the Municipality continues to appeal court rulings. AfriForum has given the Municipality 48 hours to respond to its latest letter and warns that further steps will be considered if action is not taken.

“The fact that children’s safety is being compromised, while infrastructure is deteriorating and funds are being spent elsewhere, is unacceptable. AfriForum will continue to exert pressure until the necessary intervention takes place,” says Schalk Burger, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Parys branch.

AfriForum calls on the community to stay involved, report injustice and work together to hold local government accountable. Contact Burger at 082 653 4281 to get involved with AfriForum’s Parys branch.