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 prosecution Media statements

Eighteen month prison sentence for North West game poachers

ByAfriForum 23/01/202423/01/2024

After endless investigation and court delays, the Swartruggens Magistrates Court has found two men guilty of poaching and sentenced them to 18 months imprisonment. Manang Bopalale and Kgomotso Molefe pleaded guilty to the charge and were sentenced on 10 January. Eight months of their sentenced was suspended for five years. The pair had poached a prized nyala bull worth an estimated R12 000.

It took almost two years, 10 postponements and even the matter being struck off the roll, but with the intervention of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit the matter was brought to finality.

In February 2022, Molefe was found guilty of cable theft and imprisoned, but he was released early as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special remission process in August last year. Since his release, he has been charged in two more cases of cable theft and assault.

The police arrested the two accused on 26 September 2021 while in possession of a butchered nyala carcass. The Private Prosecution Unit represented the complainant Charl Visser, and commissioned DNA analysis which confirmed his ownership of the carcass. Despite this compelling evidence, the matter was continually postponed.

In July last year the matter was struck off the roll because the investigation had not been completed and the magistrate had refused further postponements. But through the persistence of the unit, the matter was eventually finalised.

Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of the unit, says while the conviction is welcomed, the state did not cover itself in glory. “Without the intervention of the Private Prosecution Unit the accused would still be free to continue their criminal exploits. To deal with repeat offenders requires diligence and commitment from police investigators and state prosecutors. Sadly, this is lacking,” said Nel.

Eddie Wesetpfahl, a farming community representative, thanked the unit for its support, saying they had been let down by the authorities. “The police did nothing about the case despite many promises. AfriForum did not leave it there. With their help the case got going, and they never gave up until they were convicted on the nyala case. Molefe was a big headache for the community. The community is very grateful for AfriForum’s support,” said Wesetpfahl.