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This Friday, AfriForum will send a task team to the Western Cape to determine how communities plagued by unrest in this province are affected by it. This follows after AfriForum received multiple requests for assistance from members in various towns the past week. According to Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg, AfriForum’s head of community affairs, it is important for AfriForum to understand the social unrest in the area from all sides. ‘From the messages we have received it seems that our members’ safety and property are being threatened.’                                   

The difference between the riots in Marikana and the Boland is that the latter undermines the stability of the community as a whole. ‘We are worried that government is not taking proper measures to restore order and ensure people’s safety. Cosatu’s involvement also raises the question of whether these actions are not political stirrings running up to the ANC’s Mangaung Conference,” Van Rensburg said.                  

Representatives of AfriForum will be in the area from Friday to liaise with members, branch chairpersons and community leaders. AfriForum will visit Robertson, Bonnievale, Ashton, Worcester, Villiersdorp, Swellendam, Wellington and De Doorns.           


‘We will attempt to speak to all parties involved to avoid bias.’ AfriForum is extremely concerned about the possible impact of the unrest on the relationship between communities at a local level. It is therefore important that the citizenry also take a closer look at the situation.                    

AfriForum will advise their members and structures about their rights regarding the protection of property as well as intruders.