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 warns of life-threatening conditions at intersection in Klerksdorp

AfriForum this week sent an urgent letter to the Acting Municipal Manager of the Matlosana Local Municipality expressing serious concern about the complete deterioration of Klerksdorp’s traffic signs. This follows residents’ repeated reports of the unsafe conditions of various streets and intersections.

The letter specifically focused on the dangerous intersection on Jan van Riebeeck Road (R30), Leemhuis Street and Ian Street. According to residents, the traffic lights at this intersection have been out of order for some time, while road signs are either missing, illegally installed or have faded to the point that they are no longer visible at night.

“This situation exposes road users to unacceptable risks on a daily basis. The R30 is an important route with heavy traffic; without proper traffic control, collisions and injuries are inevitable,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.

The Municipality has a legal obligation to maintain roads and traffic control measures in terms of the National Road Traffic Act and the South African Road Signs Manual. Failure to do so points to gross negligence and a direct breach of these obligations.

Although the letter focuses on a specific intersection, it serves as a symptom of a larger problem. In many parts of Klerksdorp, road signs are damaged or absent, road markings are faded and traffic lights are out of order – all as a result of a lack of basic maintenance by the Municipality.

“It is clear that there is a systemic failure in the maintenance of infrastructure. Residents are being left to their own devices while their safety is compromised,” adds Pretorius.

AfriForum has urged the Municipality to urgently repair the traffic lights, install the road signs correctly and erect temporary warning signs to warn road users in time. The civil rights organisation has also warned the Municipality that it could be held liable for any damage, injuries or loss of life resulting from this negligence, as the authorities have now been formally made aware of the dangerous conditions.

“AfriForum calls on the Municipality to take its constitutional and legal obligations seriously and take immediate action to ensure the safety of Klerksdorp residents,” says S.W. Scott, AfriForum’s Chairperson of the Klerksdorp branch.

To join AfriForum’s Klerksdorp branch, contact SW Scott on 082 806 7484.