Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has made it clear that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not engage with AfriForum and Solidarity, citing their deliberate dissemination of misinformation about South Africa and its legal framework, particularly the Expropriation Act. Magwenya condemned the groups for their actions, emphasizing that they had misrepresented the country’s laws on an international stage, leading to significant diplomatic repercussions.
AfriForum, an organization advocating for Afrikaner interests, recently came under scrutiny for rejecting an offer by former US President Donald Trump to provide refugee protection in the United States. The organization had previously written to the US administration, alleging that land was being forcibly confiscated in South Africa and urging Trump to take action against the ruling African National Congress (ANC) politicians. These claims, widely discredited by the South African government, fueled tensions and international controversy.
In 2018, AfriForum launched an international campaign in which they propagated what Magwenya described as blatant falsehoods about South Africa. He noted that their misrepresentations were intentional and aimed at damaging the country’s image. Given this history, the Presidency sees no justification for engaging with them now.
AfriForum and Solidarity had requested a meeting with President Ramaphosa in an attempt to address rising tensions, but the Presidency firmly declined. Magwenya questioned their sudden interest in dialogue, pointing out that prior to their international allegations, they had not sought an audience with the President. He reiterated that, under the current circumstances, Ramaphosa would not entertain such a meeting.
The consequences of AfriForum’s actions were far-reaching. Their campaign against South Africa contributed to Trump’s decision to cut financial aid to the country. This move was met with widespread condemnation from both the government and South African citizens, who argued that Trump had been misled by AfriForum’s distortions. The South African government has been actively engaging with US officials in an effort to understand the motivations behind this decision and to clarify the reality of the situation.
The backlash against AfriForum has been significant, with numerous groups and political organizations calling for legal action against them. Some have gone as far as to accuse them of treason. Political parties such as the ANC and the MK Party have initiated legal proceedings, arguing that the group’s actions amounted to a betrayal of South Africa’s sovereignty. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also weighed in on the matter, with leader Julius Malema raising the issue during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate. Malema linked the US sanctions to South Africa’s stance on Palestine, particularly its decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over alleged human rights violations in Gaza.
The South African government remains firm in its position, dismissing AfriForum’s allegations and pushing back against international misconceptions. Magwenya reinforced that the Expropriation Act does not equate to land confiscation and criticized those who spread false narratives for their own political gain. The Presidency’s refusal to engage with AfriForum underscores a broader commitment to safeguarding the country’s reputation and ensuring that its laws and policies are accurately represented on the global stage.
