The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The civil rights organisation AfriForum says the current diplomatic crisis with the US is not in anyone’s interest in South Africa and could have been prevented if the ANC leadership had not ignored AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement’s efforts to help find solutions. AfriForum emphasises that, as an organisation, it remains committed to helping find solutions to this crisis in the best interest of everyone in the country.

According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, ANC leaders have so far actively prevented attempts to find solutions by, among other things, inviting the Iranian ambassador to the ANC headquarters and making anti-American statements. “Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, acted directly against South Africa’s interests by publicly accusing President Donald Trump of having a ‘white supremacy’ agenda, despite his role as minister to promote international relations. Lamola disregarded the possibility of retaliation for his statements, and now we are all reaping the bitter fruits of that,” says Kriel.

Referring to Trump’s latest statements on social media about farm murders and property rights, Kriel says that concrete steps must be taken to combat farm murders and protect property rights, as this is the best way to tackle these issues. According to Kriel, AfriForum has therefore already made several proposals to the ANC’s leaders to serve as solutions in this regard.

AfriForum proposes, among other things, the following solutions for combating farm murders and protecting property rights:

Farm Murders

·President Ramaphosa should be urged to unconditionally condemn the “Kill the Boer” chant, which is a call for ethnic violence against Afrikaners.

·The South African government should at least acknowledge the fact that farm murders are accompanied by excessive torture and violence.

·Farm murders should be declared a priority crime, as is already the case with numerous other crimes, including rhino poaching.

·The government should decide that the South African Police Service (SAPS) should officially and in a planned manner collaborate with farm and neighbourhood watches nationwide that operate within the framework of the law.

Expropriation Act

·The South African government must commit itself to protecting property rights.

·Section 12(3) of the Expropriation Act, which allows for expropriation without compensation, must be revoked.

·Section 19(2) of the Expropriation Act, which allows for expropriation to take place before a court decision is reached, must be amended.

Issued by AfriForum