BELA Act violates the spirit of GNU agreement: AfriForum

By Akani Nkuna

Those opposed to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act have upped the ante, warning that they will not think twice about going to court if their demands are not met.

Afrikaans civil rights group AfriForum is adamant that the Act goes against the very essence of the Government of National Unity.

While it was passed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September, its detractors in Cabinet have been careful not to outrightly attack the president or the GNU, instead keeping their objections focused on parts of the legislation.

DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and FF Plus leader and Correctional Service Minister Pieter Groenewald participated in a march against the legislation in Pretoria on Tuesday.

AfriForum and Solidarity were some of the organisers.

The group’s head of intercultural relations and cooperation, Barend Petrus, said the law deprived communities of their right to self-determination and discouraged cooperation.