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The civil rights organisation AfriForum fully understands the rationale for the bill introduced in the US House of Representatives yesterday, which calls for targeted and personal sanctions against ANC leaders who are guilty of corruption and human rights violations. However, the organisation is also concerned about the possible implications of the bill’s aim to bring about a review of the US’ bilateral relations with South Africa.

The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act was introduced by Ronny Jackson, a member of the US Congress, who argued, among other things, that South Africa’s alliance with China, Russia, Iran and terrorist organisations is a “betrayal that demands serious consequences”.

“The unspoken approval of slogans such as ‘Kill the Boer’ and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (the Bela Act), which targets Afrikaans schools and threatens the survival of Afrikaans cultural communities, are serious human rights violations. In addition, the report by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture also exposed widespread corruption by ANC leaders,” explains Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum.

Kriel emphasises, however, that AfriForum is deeply concerned that the ANC leaders’ reckless actions and policies – such as their ties with Hamas and Iran – have now placed South Africa and all its citizens in the crossfire, as the bill also calls for a review of the US’ bilateral relations with South Africa.

“The ANC leaders caused this crisis. They now have a responsibility to take South Africa and its people out of the crossfire through a clear change of direction in the country’s policies and actions. This change must include a comprehensive review of South Africa’s foreign policy as well as a new commitment to the protection of property rights and human rights – including those of minority communities,” Kriel concludes.

Meanwhile, AfriForum also welcomes the US Embassy in South Africa’s condemnation of the “Kill the Boer” chant this week. This condemnation comes despite the Constitutional Court’s legalisation of the chant last week. AfriForum agrees with the US Embassy’s assessment that the chant “incites violence against ethnic minorities” and that the “EFF is propagating racial hatred” with the chant.

Issued by AfriForum