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.

Media statements | Safety Media statements

Citizens at the mercy of criminals while backlog in firearm licences reemerges – AfriForum demands answers

ByAfriForum 13/05/202513/05/2025

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Klankgreep: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)

AfriForum has written to the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, regarding the serious delays in the processing of firearm licence applications at the Central Firearms Register (CFR). This comes after the civil rights organisation received complaints from the public, some of whom have not received any feedback on their firearms license applications for months. Despite earlier assurances from the Portfolio Committee on Police regarding improvements at the CFR, it appears that a significant backlog has once again developed. This not only causes great uncertainty and frustration but also leaves these applicants vulnerable.

In AfriForum’s letter to the commissioner, the civil rights organisation raised a series of pertinent questions about the current state of affairs, the reasons for the renewed delays and the apparent stagnation in the digitisation of the firearms control system. The organisation has also called for transparency regarding the use of the R30 million allocated to improve the CFR’s operations.

“It’s unacceptable that law-abiding citizens are left vulnerable due to bureaucratic inefficiency. AfriForum has been approached by many people who have been waiting for months without any feedback on their applications,” says Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety at AfriForum.

“Despite past assurances that this process would be streamlined, the reality paints a very different picture. It is high time that the firearms license application process is digitized to avoid unnecessary red tape. This is why AfriForum demands accountability and immediate corrective action from the South African Police Service (SAPS).”

AfriForum remains committed to protecting and advocating for the rights of responsible firearm owners and ensuring that government institutions function effectively and transparently.