AfriForum’s misinformation campaign that threatens South Africa’s democracy

OPINION: AfriForum’s lies are a threat to South Africa’s democracy

AfriForum’s US lobbying spreads misinformation to undermine South Africa’s democracy, amounting to sedition – if not treason.

Illustration by Dee-Dee Mathelela featuring Canva stock photos. Image: Sourced from X

AfriForum and Solidarity’s latest actions in the United States are nothing short of treason. Under the guise of “protecting Afrikaner rights,” these groups have peddled outright lies to foreign powers, begging for intervention in South Africa’s internal affairs.

They have framed policies like the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act and the Expropriation Act as threats to Afrikaners, when in reality, these policies seek only to promote equality and prevent historical injustices from repeating themselves.

A treasonous misinformation campaign

Their recent meetings with the Trump administration were a desperate bid to pressure the US government into punishing ANC leaders, citing fabricated claims of targeted violence against white South Africans.

They even urged the US to fund a separate Afrikaner settlement, eerily reminiscent of apartheid-era segregation. If this wasn’t seditious enough, they are now reportedly setting their sights on lobbying the European Union.

But what does this all amount to in legal terms? High treason? Sedition? Let’s examine the precedent.

Treason in South African law: The case of Rex v Holm & Pienaar

In Rex v Holm; Rex v Pienaar [1948], two South Africans were convicted of high treason for broadcasting Nazi propaganda from Germany to weaken South Africa’s war effort.

The court found that even though their actions took place outside South Africa, their intent and the impact on the Republic’s sovereignty constituted treason.

This case sets a crucial precedent: treason does not require physical action within South Africa’s
borders – acts of propaganda, even when committed abroad, can constitute treason if they weaken the state.

AfriForum’s actions mirror this case in disturbing ways. They have gone abroad, presented a false
narrative to foreign powers, and sought intervention against the South African government.

Their lobbying for economic and political pressure against the ANC is not just about policy disputes – it’s about destabilising the government through foreign influence.

By the precedent of Holm & Pienaar, AfriForum is guilty of waging a psychological and political war
against South Africa, using propaganda to undermine the legitimacy of its government.

Sedition vs. High Treason: Rex v Erasmus and AfriForum’s hostile intent

In Rex v Erasmus [1923], the accused was initially charged with high treason for leading armed resistance against the state. However, the court ruled that because his intent was not to overthrow the government but rather to pressure it into making policy changes, the correct charge was sedition, not high treason.

This case is particularly relevant to AfriForum’s actions. Unlike Holm & Pienaar, who directly served a foreign enemy, AfriForum’s goal is to strong-arm the South African government into adopting policies that favour Afrikaners, rather than overthrow it outright. Thus, their actions, at minimum, constitute sedition – a crime that involves inciting resistance against lawful authority with political motives.

Under South African law, sedition is a serious offence. The fact that AfriForum has sought foreign intervention to apply economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on the Republic only strengthens the case that their actions amount to a criminal attack against the state.

Debunking AfriForum’s lies: The manufactured crisis

Let’s be clear:

There is NO “white genocide” in South Africa.
Farm murders are not racially motivated – they are part of a broader crime issue affecting all South Africans.
The BELA Act does not threaten Afrikaans schools – it merely ensures that school admissions do not become a tool for racial exclusion.

AfriForum’s campaign is not about protecting Afrikaners but about preserving privilege. True equality can feel like a loss to those who have long benefited from an imbalanced system.

A threat to South Africa’s sovereignty

By appealing to foreign powers to intervene in South Africa’s domestic policies, AfriForum and Solidarity have:

Undermined the Republic’s sovereignty
Engaged in a misinformation campaign that endangers social cohesion
Encouraged economic sanctions that would harm ordinary South Africans

Whether we label this high treason or sedition, one thing is clear: AfriForum’s actions amount to crimes against the state. Their deceitful lobbying is not just an attack on the ANC – it is an attack on South Africa’s democracy.

It is time for the state to act. AfriForum and Solidarity must be held accountable for their actions.