By Johnathan Paoli
Afrikaans lobby organisation, the Solidarity Movement, is unconcerned about possible treason charges against leaders from AfriForum, Solidarity and other cultural organisations.
This follows them being accused of a misinformation campaign regarding anti-white racism.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has welcomed the accusations as an opportunity to prove to the world that the African National Congress was abusing its power.
“There are simply no legal grounds for the charges, but should the state decide to continue with their actions against AfriForum, it will strengthen our position as it will show that there are indeed ANC leaders who abuse their power to govern against certain sections of the population,” Kriel said.
He maintained that there was no legal basis for the charges.
Earlier in the week, the Hawks confirmed that four dockets of high treason had been opened.
Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya said they were looking into the matter following cases being opened across the country.
Despite not being officially named by the Hawks, the accusations are believed by many to be against AfriForum and Solidarity, whose leaders have met senior officials from the US administration.
Representatives from the Solidarity Movement visited Washington, calling on the US government to put pressure on the ANC to stop implementing what it says are “race-based” laws against the white Afrikaner population.
This follows US President Donald Trump offering white Afrikaners land in the US and freezing aid to South Africa over the new land law and South Africa’s stance on Israel.
The rift between SA and the US has also put the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) at risk.
Many of the farmers, who Trump is claiming to protect, will be negatively impacted if the Act is not renewed next year.
The delegation has also asked US officials to intensify pressure on ANC leaders for policy change instead of suspending South Africa’s participation in Agoa.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus has spoken out against the treason accusations, with newly elected leader Corne Mulder saying the ANC was speaking for the whole country and hiding its own failures.
“The ANC should in no way be allowed to claim the sole right to convey its own, biased message to the world about the state of affairs in South Africa,” Mulder said.
Last week, the Economic Freedom Fighters called on the government to declare AfriForum and Solidarity as terrorist organisations for threatening the reputation, security and sovereignty of the country.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has accused AfriForum and Solidarity of treason for allegedly conspiring with foreign powers to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty.
The party claims the organisations remain loyal to apartheid-era ideals and seek to destabilise the country.
Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela lodged a criminal case against their leaders, demanding their immediate arrests.
Calling on law enforcement and patriotic citizens to resist external interference, Ndhlela insisted that South Africa’s sovereignty must be protected against imperialist influence and political manipulation.
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