Pretoria, South Africa – The Hawks have confirmed they are investigating four dockets of high treason, reportedly linked to AfriForum and Solidarity following their engagements with the US government.
The probe comes after high-level meetings between AfriForum representatives and officials from former US President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington, where the group lobbied for US intervention in South Africa’s domestic affairs.
Allegations of Undermining the State
AfriForum has been vocal about its concerns over the African National Congress (ANC) government’s policies, particularly regarding the recently implemented Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the Expropriation Act. The group claims these laws threaten Afrikaans culture and the rights of minority communities.
Additionally, AfriForum and Solidarity have repeatedly raised alarm over what they describe as a white genocide targeting South African farmers—an assertion that has sparked intense debate within the country and drawn criticism from government officials.
Hawks Confirm Investigation
While the Hawks have not explicitly named AfriForum and Solidarity as the entities under investigation, the unit’s head, General Godfrey Lebeya, confirmed that his team is handling four high treason dockets.
“We have indeed received four case dockets against the entities that I do not want to start by mentioning their names, which is the normal practice in that we don’t mention the names of the entities before they are charged. But otherwise, we have received four cases that are currently under investigation,” Lebeya told EWN.
The cases were initially opened at various police stations nationwide before being centralised under the Hawks’ jurisdiction.
Political Fallout and International Implications
The investigation has the potential to escalate political tensions, as AfriForum has historically positioned itself as an advocacy group for Afrikaans-speaking communities, often clashing with the ANC-led government over issues related to land reform and minority rights.
Government officials have condemned AfriForum’s lobbying efforts in the US, with Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, accusing the group of spreading misinformation about South Africa.
The outcome of the Hawks’ investigation could have far-reaching implications, both domestically and internationally, as South Africa seeks to navigate political sensitivities and maintain diplomatic relations with key global players.