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.

Sedgefield soon safer after Municipality concedes over land, unlawful structures

AfriForum’s Knysna branch expects that Sedgefield, and specifically the plots on the controversial Sedgefield dune, will soon be much safer. This comes after the civil rights organisation, together with the community and the Sedgefield Dune Committee, recently achieved a major victory in the fight against property rights and unlawful occupiers. After a long-standing dispute over certain plots on the Sedgefield dune between Groenvallei and Smutsville, the Knysna Local Municipality has finally accepted responsibility for the land and the unlawful structures erected on it.

The plots in question (2794 and 2553) previously belonged to the developer Landjong Beleggings but were transferred to the then Sedgefield Municipality in 1993. However, in 1996 Sedgefield became part of the Knysna Local Municipality. To date, this Municipality has delayed the final transfer of the plots and as a result the community has suffered. Over the years, unlawful structures have been erected on the dune, which has called into question the stability of the dune and the safety of those at the bottom of the dune. Throughout this time, the Municipality has refused to remove the structures, arguing that the land does not belong to them.

With AfriForum’s continued support of the case, the Municipality finally acknowledged that the plot does belong to it, that it is the Municipality’s responsibility to complete the transfer and evict the unlawful occupiers.

“This breakthrough means that unlawful structures on the site will no longer be tolerated, which will contribute to a safer environment for everyone. The Sedgefield dunes is notorious for the number of unlawful structures that are erected overnight, which further threatens the stability of the dune. Residents are also regularly harassed by the unbearable noise pollution,” says Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape.

AfriForum is hopeful that change is on the way thanks to Lulamile Mapholoba, the new Municipal Manager, whose continued efforts are keeping the Municipality on the right track.

“Mr. Mapholoba’s friendly attitude towards the community makes AfriForum’s Knysna branch hopeful that civil society will continue to work with him for a long time. The civil rights organisation also looks forward to working closely with Harry Hoff, Acting Head of Law Enforcement. Mr. Hoff’s department is lightning fast in acting when unlawful structures are erected,” adds Erasmus.

AfriForum’s Knysna branch serves the greater Knysna area and has launched several successful community projects. Get involved today to help the branch do more. Send an email to marthinus.erasmus@afriforum.co.za or call Erasmus on 081 216 9602 for more information.