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

AfriForum delivers damning criticism of the National Prosecuting Authority Bill during parliamentary submission

ByAfriForum 25/10/202325/10/2023

The civil rights organisation AfriForum today delivered an oral submission on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Bill before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. This submission strongly criticised the bill and proposed extensive amendments to it. AfriForum was invited to make this oral presentation after the organisation submitted in-depth written comments on 10 October.

Some of the problems with the bill include that it does not provide satisfactory solutions to the current problems with the NPA, that it fails to ensure clear parliamentary oversight, that it leaves room for political interference in the Prosecuting Authority and that it will lead to reduced confidence in the South African criminal justice system.

“Different approaches can be taken to tackle the current problems in the NPA, but this bill is definitely not the designated solution,” says Louis Boshoff, Campaign Officer at AfriForum who made the presentation on behalf of the organisation. “This bill is a recipe for political interference, and we can expect nothing but a brew of corruption and abuse of power if this recipe is followed.”

AfriForum’s submission approaches the matter proactively and proposes several solutions, such as including clauses that require parliamentary oversight, establish procedures to ensure more transparent appointment of officials and will improve the operational efficiency of the NPA.

“South Africa’s legal system is at a crossroads, and it is crucial that we act now to protect the integrity of our legal system and ensure that justice can be done without fear or prejudice,” concludes Boshoff.

In addition to these comments on the bill, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is also being expanded to ensure that prosecution can take place even if the NPA weakens further.