AfriForum and Solidarity have recently engaged in actions abroad that many argue threaten the integrity of South Africa’s democracy.
While claiming to advocate for the protection of Afrikaner rights, these groups have instead spread misinformation to foreign governments, calling for external intervention in South Africa’s internal affairs.
Their portrayal of policies like the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill and the Expropriation Act as threats to Afrikaners is misleading.
In truth, these policies aim to promote equality and prevent the repetition of past injustices.
Yet, AfriForum and Solidarity have deliberately framed them as hostile, igniting a wave of unwarranted international pressure.
A Campaign of Misinformation and International Lobbying
Recently, these groups met with officials from the Trump administration, presenting fabricated claims of violence targeting white South Africans.
Their goal was clear: to push the US government into taking punitive actions against South Africa’s ruling ANC party.
Beyond this, they even proposed the creation of a separate Afrikaner settlement, an idea that echoes apartheid-era segregation.
The disturbing part? AfriForum is reportedly now attempting to extend its lobbying efforts to the European Union.
So, what do these actions amount to legally? Are they acts of high treason or sedition? Let’s delve into the legal precedents to understand the gravity of their actions.
The Legal Precedents: High Treason and Sedition
In South African law, treason is not limited to actions that physically take place within the country’s borders.
The case of Rex v Holm & Pienaar (1948) highlighted this crucial point.
In this case, two individuals were convicted of high treason for broadcasting Nazi propaganda from Germany, which aimed to undermine South Africa’s war efforts.
Even though their actions occurred abroad, their intent and the resulting harm to the country’s sovereignty led to their conviction.
AfriForum’s actions mirror this scenario. They have traveled abroad, spread a false narrative, and sought foreign intervention to challenge the legitimacy of the South African government.
By lobbying foreign governments to apply political and economic pressure on South Africa, they’re attempting to destabilize the government.
Under the precedent of Holm & Pienaar, their actions can be seen as waging a psychological and political war against South Africa.
Sedition: A Crime of Political Resistance
Another relevant case is Rex v Erasmus (1923), where the accused was initially charged with high treason for leading armed resistance against the state.
However, the court determined that his actions, which were aimed at pressuring the government to adopt certain policies, constituted sedition rather than treason.
AfriForum’s actions seem to fall more closely in line with sedition.
They are not seeking to overthrow the government, but rather to influence its policies in favor of Afrikaners.
Sedition involves inciting resistance against lawful authority, and by seeking foreign intervention to apply pressure, AfriForum is indeed acting against the state. In this light, their conduct is a serious offense under South African law.
The False Crisis: Protecting Privilege, Not Rights
It’s important to understand that AfriForum’s campaign is not about protecting the rights of Afrikaners; it’s about preserving their privilege.
True equality can sometimes feel threatening to those who have long benefitted from an unequal system. What AfriForum is truly fighting for is the status quo, not justice.
A Direct Threat to South Africa’s Sovereignty
By appealing to foreign powers for intervention in South Africa’s domestic policies, AfriForum and Solidarity are actively undermining the country’s sovereignty.
They have engaged in a harmful misinformation campaign that puts social cohesion at risk.
Worse, their actions could lead to economic sanctions that would hurt the very people they claim to be defending—ordinary South Africans.
Whether we call it high treason or sedition, one thing is clear: AfriForum’s actions are a direct attack on the state.
Their efforts to manipulate international opinion against the South African government are not just an assault on the ANC; they are an assault on South Africa’s democratic principles.
Time for Accountability
It’s time for the South African government to take a stand. AfriForum and Solidarity must be held accountable for their actions, which have only served to weaken the country from within.
These groups need to face the consequences of their campaign to destabilize South Africa.