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.

Late notice of important meeting makes community see red

ByAfriForum 17/03/202617/03/2026

The AfriForum branch in Sasolburg today sent an urgent letter to the Metsimaholo Local Municipality after the municipality issued a public notice less than 24 hours before an important meeting of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).

The notice for the meeting to take place on Tuesday 17 March at 13:00 was only sent out on Monday 16 March. According to AfriForum, this does not provide sufficient time for community members to make arrangements to attend this important meeting, which is also taking place during working hours.

“This action is a clear violation of the principles of transparency and public participation. It deprives the community of their constitutional right to meaningfully participate in local government,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the Mooi River.

According to Braam Muller, chairperson of AfriForum’s Sasolburg branch, it appears that the municipality deliberately wanted to hold the meeting at a time when fewer community members could attend. “This creates the impression that the municipality is deliberately limiting public participation and trying to avoid critical oversight.

AfriForum points out that legislation such as the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 requires municipalities to create mechanisms that enable the public to participate in municipal processes. Furthermore, the Constitution stipulates that communities must be encouraged to become involved in local government.

The organisation requested, among other things, that:

The current process is declared invalid;
a new meeting is scheduled;
adequate and timely communication about the new meeting is given; and
that the meeting be held at a time so that as many people as possible can attend and participate meaningfully.

AfriForum emphasises that public participation is a core principle of accountable and democratic local government.

The community is encouraged to get involved with this AfriForum branch and neighbourhood watch in order to make a real difference. Contact Braam Muller at 076 125 7773.