Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Community Affairs Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum approaches legal team on power and water crisis in Parys

ByAfriForum 06/07/202206/07/2022

AfriForum today consulted with their legal team on the power and water crisis in Parys. The crisis stems from Ngwathe Local Municipality’s non-compliance with their repayment agreement with Eskom to pay off their debt of R1.54 billion. As a result, Eskom reintroduced rotational load shedding. On Friday 1 July, after load shedding, the power kicked out due to overload and Eskom refused to switch on the power for fear that it could damage their equipment.

The municipality had to pay approximately R1.1 million to restore power supply, this payment was only made on Monday 4 July. The power was restored again from 20:00 after Eskom had to do repairs. At this stage, Eskom provides only enough amperes so that the weak municipal network can handle it. As a result, the community has been without power for long periods of time and some residents have not had power yet.

The lack of electricity also means that little to no water can be supplied to the greater Parys area. AfriForum has already reached an agreement with Ngwathe Local Municipality at the end of 2021 where the organisation has made recommendations to the municipality on what to do to get the waterworks and the sewerage works in a good working condition. Unfortunately, the municipality did not carry out a single recommendation.

“This is an indication that the municipality is simply not prepared to provide proper services to the community. As a civil rights organisation, we cannot sit by and watch communities being harmed in this way, which is why we consulted with our legal team on the best plan of action in this situation,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.

“The local AfriForum branch has already distributed 17 000 liters of water in the community this week. Urgent and drastic action is needed here to solve this problem,” concludes Pretorius.

The community is encouraged to get involved with this AfriForum branch in order to make a real difference: SMS “Parys” to 45344 (R1).