AfriForum's Kallie Kriel says there is no legal basis for treason charges to be brought against the organisation.
Image: Dumisani Sibeko
AfriForum has clapped back at high treason allegations, saying they have no basis.
This comes after uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) opened a treason case against the group in Cape Town on Monday, as well as the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) announcing today that it will open a similar case against AfriForum and other organisations in Khayelitsha later this week.
In the words of Kallie Kriel, the chief executive of AfriForum, the allegations are 'absurd' and will not cause any sleepless nights.
"It is the duty of civil society and organisations such as AfriForum to shine a light on legislation and actions that threaten the welfare of citizens and the country.
"We cannot keep quiet about the injustice that is being committed at the expense of South Africa, its citizens, and the South African economy. False allegations that AfriForum has spread 'misleading information' about the Expropriation Act and that this is the reason for the USA's action against South Africa are blatant lies," Kriel said.
He went on to say that that AfriForum has consistently highlighted the facts included in the Expropriation Act, which was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"This was done in the interest of the country and its citizens to point out the dangers that the act poses for private property rights and the risks that especially Section 12(3) of the act poses."
The MK party opened their case against the lobby group at Cape Town central police station.
In a media statement, deputy president of the MK party, John Hlophe said: "You recall that there is an executive order which Donald Trump, the American president, has now issued against South Africa following the intervention that was made by AfriForum. We have just opened the criminal case against AfriForum because we want them to be questioned."
Hlophe added that the political party condemns the betrayal of South Africans.
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