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South Africa – The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) recently opened a treason case against AfriForum at the Cape Town Central Police Station, accusing the organisation of lobbying foreign powers to act against South Africa’s sovereignty and economic interests.
The MK Party describes these actions as deliberate economic sabotage and betraying the nation’s independence.
In their statement, the MK Party alleges that AfriForum’s engagement with the Trump administration in the United States falls under the legal definition of treason according to South African common law.
“Under South African common law, treason is committed when an individual or group, with hostile intent, unlawfully engages in conduct aimed at undermining the authority, sovereignty or security of the state. The courts have provided legal clarity on treason in several cases, establishing principles that remain applicable today.”
“There are landmark cases that reaffirmed that treason requires an overt act intended to undermine the state. It clarified that mere opposition to government policies is not treason. There must be deliberate conduct aimed at destabilising or coercing the state.”
The MK Party argues that collaborating with foreign actors to weaken the state constitutes treason, even if the intended actions are not fully realised.
“Past legal rulings have made it clear that engaging foreign forces to act against one’s own country falls within the realm of treason. Unlike those who fought against apartheid tyranny, AfriForum does not seek justice or democracy—it seeks to reverse the gains of our liberation by weaponising foreign influence against the people of South Africa.”
Furthermore, the MK Party accuses AfriForum of protecting the interests of the privileged elite while ignoring the struggles of the majority. They view the lobbying for punitive economic measures against South Africa as an intentional attempt to destabilise the country through external influence.
They demand that AfriForum be held accountable under the same legal principles used against anti-apartheid activists. They warn that failure to act will encourage other forces to undermine South Africa’s independence.
“The MK Party calls on all progressive forces to unite against foreign interference and resist any attempt to erode the little we have of our national sovereignty. We urge the South African government to take immediate diplomatic and legal steps to counteract the economic aggression instigated by these reactionary elements.”
“AfriForum has declared itself an enemy of the South African people. Their divisive and anti-democratic agenda can no longer be tolerated. The MK Party will continue to defend the interests of the people and hold accountable all who seek to sell out our nation.”
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AfriForum’s Response to the Charges
In response to the treason charges, AfriForum has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, the accusations are “false,” “absurd,” and aimed at distracting attention from the real issues affecting the country. He stated that the charges will not cause “sleepless nights” as they have no legal basis.
He denied claims that AfriForum spread misleading information about the Expropriation Act, insisting their criticism was based on fact.
“It is the duty of civil society and organisations like AfriForum to highlight legislation and actions that threaten the welfare of citizens and the economy. We cannot keep quiet about the injustice that is being committed at the expense of South Africa, its citizens, and the South African economy,” said Kriel.
According to Kriel, AfriForum’s concerns stem from Section 12(3) of the act, which allows for nil compensation in specific land expropriation cases. He stressed that their focus is on protecting private property rights.
Kriel also argued that the strained relationship between South Africa and the United States is due to the ruling party’s reckless policies, not AfriForum’s actions. He highlighted state capture, corruption, and the justice system’s failure as the real threats to national stability.
“It is moreover hypocritical and ironic that it is Jacob Zuma, the leader of the MKP, who, in his time as President of the country, was responsible for state capture, is now the leader of the party to bring in a charge of treason against AfriForum,” Kriel concluded.
