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

Trial date set for private prosecution of Alexis Bizos

By 14/02/202003/11/2020

Alexis Bizos, the son of Adv. George Bizos, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, represented the victim, Monique van Oosterhout, who had been married to Alexis Bizos at the time of the incident. A preliminary hearing date was set for 4 May 2020.

Bizos allegedly assaulted Van Oosterhout in 2015, breaking six of her ribs. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) initially refused to prosecute Bizos. Following AfriForum’s announcement in 2018 that the organisation had applied for a nolle prosequi certificate to prosecute Bizos, the NPA made a surprise announcement to prosecute. Bizos was subsequently invited to submit representations prior to prosecution. Upon receipt of Bizos’ representations, the NPA yet again declined to prosecute, prompting Van Oosterhout to yet again apply for a certificate to privately prosecute Bizos.

“It is clear that the NPA is doing lip service when it comes to cases of violence against women and children. It appears as if Bizos is not being prosecuted owing to his father’s political ties, and that is unacceptable,” says Andrew Leask, Head Investigator at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit.

According to Leask it is paramount that AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit gets involved in cases like these, firstly because the NPA shouldn’t be selective when it comes to prosecuting suspects and secondly because the legal system had failed this victim numerous times.

“Nobody is above the law, and for this reason AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit will continue to drive the case and prosecute Bizos on Van Oosterhout’s behalf. It seems as if the NPA’s indication that it would focus on cases of violence against women and children isn’t being applied in all cases. We want to ensure that certain individuals aren’t seen as being above the law, and we view violence against women in a serious light,” says Leask.