The MK Party (MKP) has formally accused Afriforum of treason, alleging that the Afrikaner rights lobby group misled US President Donald Trump about South Africa’s land reform policies.
Does MK Party have a treason case against Afriforum?
This, the party argues, directly influenced Trump’s executive order cutting US financial assistance to South Africa and granting refugee status to Afrikaners.
MKP deputy president John Hlophe, who led the legal action, stated:
“Their betrayal is nothing less than an act of economic sabotage, a direct assault on our nation’s independence, and a dangerous attempt to undermine the will of our people.”
The complaint, filed in Cape Town, claims Afriforum intentionally spread misinformation about the Expropriation Act, fuelling the narrative that white South African farmers are being targeted for land confiscation without compensation.
The MKP argues that Afriforum’s actions amounted to conspiring with a foreign power to weaken South Africa’s economy.
Hlophe further added, “Treason has been committed… because they are plotting against our government.”
“Based on those lies, those fraudulent misrepresentations, Trump decided to issue an executive order against South Africa.”
Afriforum has dismissed the accusations as absurd, with its CEO Kallie Kriel stating, “It is the duty of civil society to highlight legislation and actions that threaten the welfare of citizens and the country.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will determine whether to proceed with the treason charges, but the case has already drawn significant political attention.
Afriforum’s role in influencing US sanctions on South Africa
Afriforum has long opposed South Africa’s land reform efforts, actively lobbying in the US against policies such as the Expropriation Act. The organisation has framed land reform as an attack on property rights, particularly for white farmers.
Following their meetings with Trump’s allies and conservative media outlets, the US president signed an executive order halting nearly $440 million in aid to South Africa.
The order also opened the door for Afrikaners to apply for refugee status, a move that has sparked outrage among South African political leaders.
The South African government has maintained that the Expropriation Act is aimed at addressing historical injustices and has not resulted in any land seizures without compensation.
The DA’s legal challenge to the Expropriation Act
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed a legal challenge against the Expropriation Act, arguing that it grants excessive powers to the government and is unconstitutional.
Helen Zille, the DA’s federal chairperson, stated:
“No government in a democratic country should be given such sweeping powers to expropriate property without compensation.”
The DA’s legal case argues that the act was not properly approved in Parliament, as five out of the seven provinces that supported it allegedly failed to follow due process.
The party also claims that the act contains vague and contradictory clauses that could lead to property confiscation without fair compensation.
This legal challenge has placed the DA in a difficult position, as it recently joined the Government of National Unity (GNU) with the ANC.
The move also appears to contradict party leader John Steenhuisen’s previous attempts to reassure international stakeholders, including Trump’s administration, that the law does not threaten property rights.
