In February 2025, South Africa’s Afrikaner advocacy group, AfriForum, faced treason charges following its visit to the White House. The delegation, led by CEO Kallie Kriel, met with U.S. officials to discuss concerns over the Expropriation Act, which allows the South African government to seize land from white farmers without compensation. AfriForum contends that this legislation endangers the rights of Afrikaners and white farmers.
President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized AfriForum’s actions, asserting that seeking international intervention undermines national sovereignty and exacerbates divisions within South Africa. He emphasized the importance of resolving domestic issues internally rather than appealing to foreign governments.
In response, the African Transformation Movement’s Vuyo Zungula called for the deregistration of AfriForum and Solidarity, another Afrikaner group, and proposed that their leaders face treason charges. Political analyst Sandile Swana echoed these sentiments, accusing AfriForum of perpetuating apartheid-era ideologies and undermining the country’s constitution and sovereignty.
The controversy intensified when former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting aid to South Africa, citing the Expropriation Act and the country’s stance on Israel. The order also offered refugee status to Afrikaners, a move that AfriForum welcomed. However, many Afrikaners declined the offer, expressing a preference to address issues within South Africa.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics between South Africa’s Afrikaner community, the government, and international actors. While AfriForum views its actions as a legitimate defense of minority rights, the South African government perceives them as interference in domestic affairs. The treason charges against AfriForum underscore the deep-seated tensions and differing perspectives on how to address historical injustices and current policies affecting the Afrikaner community.
