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.

AfriForum reveals that taxpayers shelled out more than R1,3 million for “super fans’” attendance at Rugby World Cup in France

Taxpayers shelled out at least R1,3 million for so-called “super fans” Mama Joy Chauke and Botha Msila’s travel and accommodation during last year’s Rugby World Cup in France. This information is contained in feedback from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture that the civil rights organisation AfriForum received today, following an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

AfriForum submitted the PAIA application in October last year and requested detailed statements and documentation regarding the expenditure of the department’s sponsorship for Chauke and Msila’s attendance at the 2023 tournament. Although certain requested information is missing in the feedback provided to AfriForum, it does show that the department spent a total of R1 361 283 on flights and accommodation for these two fans. AfriForum’s other questions pertaining to Chauke and Msila’s full spending during the tournament have also been left unanswered.

In addition, the department also failed to provide detailed information about the expenses incurred for these fans’ attendance at other similar sporting events. In its PAIA application, AfriForum also requested information regarding the merits of Chauke and Msila’s appointment, but the department also withheld this information.

AfriForum has meanwhile instructed its legal team to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (IR) to compel the department to hand over complete information and full expenditure records of the past 10 years with respect to the “super fans”. A formal complaint will also be filed with the Public Protector (PP) about the misappropriation of funds by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Charné Mostert, AfriForum Campaign Officer, says: “Politically connected individuals are seemingly able to live in luxury on taxpayers’ accounts, while millions of South Africans live in poverty. Through the IR and PP, AfriForum will ensure that the department gives answers about this misappropriation of funds. This reckless money-wasting by the ANC government paints a dire political picture.”

“This amount spent on flights and accommodation alone is far more than many South Africans earn per year. AfriForum will not only ensure that these irregularities are exposed but will also see to it that there are repercussions for it,” concludes Mostert.