Image Source – eNCA
Local – AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says they are ready to face the Hawks’ investigation into treason charges brought against the organisation. Speaking from the United States, where he is part of a delegation meeting with politicians and stakeholders, Kriel dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“There are simply no legal grounds for the charges,” he said. “But should the state decide to continue with their actions against AfriForum, it will strengthen our position, as it will show that there are indeed ANC leaders who abuse their power to govern against certain sections of the population.”
Kriel also pointed out the irony of AfriForum being investigated while ANC leaders implicated in corruption by the Zondo Commission remain untouched. He believes that if the matter goes to court, it will expose the government’s failures.
“It will provide us with the platform to show how disloyal ANC leaders behave towards ordinary people of the country by gambling with the country’s future,” he said.
He accused the ANC of pushing “reckless policies” such as the Expropriation Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA), racial discrimination, and a foreign policy that he described as careless.
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Hawks High Treason Investigation
Meanwhile, Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya confirmed that different individuals and political parties have opened four separate treason cases.
While he did not name AfriForum or Solidarity directly, he acknowledged that some political parties were concerned about organisations or individuals who “may have crossed the border to go and communicate some of the things that are perceived to be in the direction of high treason.”
Recently, the Umkhonto We Sizwe Party filed a treason case against AfriForum, accusing the lobby group of spreading misinformation about land and race policies.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also been vocal, calling on the Government of National Unity to label AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement as domestic terrorist organisations. According to the EFF, their visit to the US and their actions “pose a direct threat to the stability and sovereignty of South Africa.”
Lebeya emphasised that the investigation is still in its early stages and that due diligence is necessary.
“We are investigating, this is the initial stage of the investigation. Those types of crimes, you need to be careful in the way in which you collect that evidence,” he said.
