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

Private fire services not illegal in Tshwane Metro, court finds

ByAfriForum 17/12/2025

The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s legal action to have private firefighting services operating in the Metro declared illegal has failed. The Pretoria High Court today dismissed the Metro’s case with costs. AfriForum’s legal team assisted the Sinoville Firefighting Association (SFA) in this case.

The court found that the rendering of firefighting services by businesses to their clients and by volunteers affiliated with associations is not prohibited by legislation. However, private firefighting services may not interfere with the fire brigade’s powers granted by the Fire Services Act.

“This watershed decision is in the interest of all South Africans. Where vital municipal services such as firefighting fall short, it is volunteers, private businesses and community organisations that step up,” says Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist at AfriForum.

AfriForum will soon write to the Metro requesting that all previous communications discouraging the Metro’s fire brigades from working with organisations such as the SFA be withdrawn.

Tarien Cooks (English)

“Instead of working against each other, we should join hands to foster an effective and productive collaborative relationship in the interests of residents,” Cooks adds.

AfriForum will continue to advocate for a fair, inclusive and effective approach to fire safety.