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 reaches settlement with Ephraim Mogale Municipality over Marble Hall sewage pollution

ByAfriForum 19/02/202619/02/2026

Soundbite: Lambert de Klerk (English)

Soundbite: Lambert de Klerk (Afrikaans)

AfriForum reached a settlement with the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality in the High Court in Polokwane yesterday regarding the long-standing sewage pollution at the Marble Hall sewage treatment plant, which also pollutes the Olifants River. AfriForum brought the application for a structural interdict two years ago. Under this settlement, AfriForum may now gain access to the plant to, among other things, have inspections carried out by an independent expert. The civil rights organisation may also have an expert report drawn up to determine the extent, causes and consequences of the pollution.

The settlement is ratified by a court order. This will ensure that the agreed steps and time frames are enforceable and that the case can proceed in a clear and structured manner.

AfriForum’s application for a structural interdict consists of two parts, the first of which focuses on the investigation into the reasons for and the extent of the pollution, while the second part aims to have the findings of the first implemented.

“It is regrettable that it has taken the Municipality two years to reach a settlement, while the pollution continues unabated. Faster action would have helped to resolve the Municipality’s sewage challenges. In the meantime, the infrastructure at this sewage treatment plant is in a poor condition. However, this settlement now offers AfriForum the opportunity to bring about a real improvement and end the pollution,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager for Environmental Affairs.

AfriForum maintains that accountability and legal governance are essential to protect communities and the environment from continued sewage pollution. AfriForum will continue with the remainder of its application.