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.

Malema sentence affirms that politicians are not above the law – AfriForum

ByAfriForum 16/04/202616/04/2026

Video: jacques Broodryk (English)

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Despite the efforts of Julius Malema’s legal team to argue mitigating circumstances in the East London Magistrate’s Court, today’s events in court have confirmed to AfriForum that no one, regardless of their status or political affiliation, is above the law.

Malema was sentenced to five years in prison today. AfriForum views the sentence as an important step in restoring public confidence in the criminal justice system. However, Malema’s application to appeal the sentence and bail were granted.

This follows after Malema was found guilty in September last year on five charges under the Firearms Control Act, including discharging a firearm in a built-up or public area without sufficient reason, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

AfriForum’s continued pressure to have the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) prosecuted after he fired several shots in a public space in 2018 is proof of what’s possible when civil society refuses to allow serious criminal behaviour to be condoned or ignored.

“The reckless discharge of a firearm in a busy public space posed a real and unacceptable risk to human life. It is good to see that this type of behaviour is not normalised or justified under any circumstances,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

“When the law is applied consistently and without fear or favouritism, public confidence in the justice system is strengthened. AfriForum will continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal accountability for all,” adds Broodryk.

AfriForum played a decisive role in ensuring that this case was brought to court. Without the organisation’s intervention and sustained pressure, the case may never have come to trial in the first place.

According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, Malema’s actions have gone unpunished for too long. “It was essential that the court send a clear message that no one is above the law. Although it took eight years for justice to prevail, today’s outcome shows that perseverance matters.”