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AfriForum welcomes the fact that the US’s latest action regarding South Africa will not harm ordinary South Africans or the country itself, but is specifically directed at politicians and others guilty of gross human rights violations against minorities and Afrikaners. According to AfriForum, the human rights violations referred to by the US include calls for ethnic violence against Afrikaners and farmers – such as the slogan “Kill the Boer” – as well as the initiation and implementation of expropriation without compensation and discriminatory racial measures.

This move by the US entails, among other things, that individuals who engage in speech inciting violence against minorities, or who are responsible for pushing through policies that would harm minorities and property rights in South Africa, will be denied access to the US.

According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, proposals by AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement to resolve the dispute with the US – which were presented to the South African government during discussions over the past nine months – have so far fallen on deaf ears, and the South African government must consequently accept responsibility for the latest turn of events.

“As part of the Solidarity Movement’s submissions to the government, AfriForum has made comprehensive proposals on how the dispute with the US regarding the Expropriation Bill and the ‘Kill the Boer’ slogan can be resolved, and has also submitted a comprehensive plan on how the fight against rural crime and farm murders can be intensified,” Kriel adds.

While the government drags its feet on decisions regarding the proposals, AfriForum will, according to Kriel, continue to fight the new Expropriation Act – which enables expropriation without compensation – in the South African courts with everything in their power. The case has already commenced in the Western Cape High Court.

Kriel also points out that – given the failure of South African courts to take action against Julius Malema’s use of the “Kill the Boer” slogan – AfriForum will continue its existing campaign to urge the international community to take action against Malema. According to Kriel, AfriForum is grateful that the US has now imposed punitive measures against those, such as Malema, who incite ethnic violence against Afrikaners and other minorities.

AfriForum remains committed to continuing, in cooperation with the Solidarity Movement, to help find solutions to the dispute between South Africa and the US through the dialogue the organisation is currently conducting with both the South African and US governments.

“We will once again draw the South African government’s attention to the need to seriously consider the proposals made by AfriForum, Solidarity, and the Solidarity Movement to resolve the dispute with the US. It is in the interest of everyone in the country to help prevent South Africa from being punished due to the reckless policies and actions of a group of politicians,” Kriel concludes.

Issued by AfriForum