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

Prosecution of ‘drunk’ driver to commence after Private Prosecution Unit intervenes

ByAfriForum 04/11/202104/11/2021

The trial of Tasmin Wells on two charges of culpable homicide is expected to take place on 6 to 8 December 2021 in the Middelburg Regional Court. This follows AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit writing to the National Prosecuting Authority in August 2020 to enquire as to why no-one had (at that stage) been prosecuted for the death of Alet Herbst (75) and Lina Lukele (51).

Herbst and Lukele passed away in October 2018 in Walter Sisulu Street in Middelburg when Well’s motor suddenly, from the oncoming traffic, swerved in front of their car and caused the fatal accident. Both women died on impact and Herbst’s body was tossed from the vehicle due to the impact. Even though the incident took place in 2018 already, there had been no progress with the case until the Private Prosecution Unit got involved on behalf of Pikkie Fourie, the daughter of Alet Herbst.

According to versions that emerged, Wells was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when she caused the accident. There are also allegations that the SAPS initially failed to obtain the versions of eyewitnesses and to conduct a proper investigation.

“It is unfortunate that it has taken so long to prosecute the accused in a straightforward case such as this. Nonetheless, we welcome the prosecution of the accused and hope that it will provide peace for the loved-ones of the victims. Cases such as this one once again emphasises the Private Prosecution Unit’s role to apply pressure to ensure that accused persons are prosecuted,” says Natasha Venter, advisor at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit.