Minister Ntshavheni's comments on misinformation spark AfriForum backlash
AfriForum criticises South African government's SSA stance on misinformation
Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCIS
AfriForum, South Africa's Afrikaner civil society organisation, has issued a strong response to recent statements by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, concerning the role of the State Security Agency (SSA) in monitoring and acting against misinformation.
During a National Council of Provinces session on Tuesday, May 25, 2025, Ntshavheni announced that the SSA would be taking steps against individuals and organisations spreading what the government considers misinformation about South Africa.
She expressed concerns over claims by some minority groups alleging genocide activities by the South African government, assertions that experts and independent analysts have dismissed as misinformation, particularly relating to South Africa's stance on Israel's military operations in Gaza.
AfriForum Response
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, responded to these developments in an interview with IOL on Wednesday, strongly criticising the government's approach.
He argued that the South African government focuses on prosecuting organisations like AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement for engaging with international entities, including the US Department of State and former President Donald Trump's administration.
'The South African government now wants to prosecute AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement because these organisations dared to engage with President Trump's administration and the US Department of State.
'This is an alarming attempt to silence voices that challenge the official narrative.'
He further criticised the government's actions, suggesting they reflect an increasingly oppressive climate.
'The Presidency's attempts to silence opposing voices through intimidation and prosecution do not create a favourable environment, especially with President Ramaphosa's planned visit to Washington,' Kriel said.
'Such tactics resemble those used by authoritarian regimes rather than democratic societies.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Concerns Over Democratic Freedoms and International Relations
AfriForum expressed concern that the government's focus on monitoring and potentially prosecuting organisations based on their international engagement could undermine democratic freedoms and stifle legitimate debate.
Kriel accused the government of turning to undemocratic tactics.
'The Presidency now appears to be resorting to actions reminiscent of oppressive regimes to silence dissenting voices. This not only threatens civil liberties but also risks damaging South Africa's reputation on the international stage.'
Government's Perspective on Security and Misinformation
In her parliamentary address, Minister Ntshavheni emphasised the importance of safeguarding national security.
She explained that the SSA actively monitors international political movements and support groups due to concerns over their potential influence on South Africa's domestic affairs.
She highlighted efforts to combat disinformation campaigns, cyber operations, and ideological influences that could undermine public trust and destabilise democratic institutions.
'Disinformation and foreign influence operations pose significant risks to our democracy,' Ntshavheni said.
'The SSA's vigilance is essential to protect South Africa's sovereignty and ensure the stability of our democratic processes.'
While the government emphasised the need to combat disinformation and protect national interests, AfriForum argues that such measures risk undermining democratic rights and suppressing legitimate dissent.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
IOL Politics
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
‘Did that really happen?' SA expats, missiles, shock and then surreal calm in Qatar
From WhatsApp alerts to school pickups, South Africans in Qatar recall a surreal night of missile strikes — and how quickly calm returned in a place they still consider safer than home. Debbie Derry was in her kitchen in Doha on Monday evening, carrying a plate of food, when the floor began to vibrate. 'Everything was shaking,' she said. 'And I remember thinking, I'm sure they're bombing us. Is this really happening?' A Gqeberha journalist now living in Qatar, Debbie has spent the past three-and-a-half years immersed in the rhythms of expat life in Qatar — Friday church services, late evening walks – when the heat drops below 38°C – and a rare sense of safety she says South Africans instantly recognise as a luxury. 'Because we come from South Africa, we appreciate the safety here so much,' she said. 'I walk alone at night. I've never felt uncomfortable. I catch transport at night. This country has always been one of the safest places in the world — it's even won awards for it.' But on Monday night, that sense of safety was shaken when Iran launched a volley of ballistic missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest American military installation in the Middle East — in retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Most missiles were intercepted by defence systems, but at least one is believed to have reached its target. No casualties or injuries were reported and airspace over Qatar was temporarily closed before reopening a few hours later. Derry said the first signs of concern came via embassy alerts on social media. 'The American Embassy posted something about sheltering at home. I wasn't sure what they meant at first,' she said. 'Then more posts started coming in — things like how much water you need per person in an emergency.' That evening, while her husband Mark was attending a church council meeting about 30 minutes away, Debbie went for a walk. It was 37°C — cooler by Qatar standards — and she needed fresh air. 'When I got back, I was making supper, about to walk through with a plate of food, and everything was vibrating, and I thought, oh my word. I'm sure they're bombing us. They're bombing us. Is this really happening? You don't think it's going to happen. You think it's out there … until it's on your doorstep.' At a church complex near Barwa Village, Mark and fellow council members heard the distant booms. 'We were about an hour into the meeting … we heard six — how can I say — probably shockwaves or whatever you want to call them,' he said. 'If you're a South African and you grew up near a quarry, it might sound similar.' Mark is the head of the Anglican Church in Qatar and archdeacon for the Gulf region. 'We looked up at the night sky, and we saw… missiles taking out missiles above us. Once we saw interceptions happening above us, we decided to go back inside. It wasn't safe to be outside, It felt like we're in the middle of a war games exercise, you know, with real munitions being used,' he said. The group was instructed by police to return home – a 30-minute drive for Mark, but they didn't leave immediately. 'We realised the roads might be busy with people going to and fro and we wanted to hear if there had been any direct hits because obviously they would block off roads and things, but by God's grace, none of that happened.' Mark said the drive home was pretty ordinary afterwards, something that was part of the 'surreal experience'. By Tuesday, life in Qatar was almost back to normal. 'I was out on the roads today and in the shopping centres today, and it seems like people have got on with what they were doing. There are a few shops that were closed and a few schools are closed today just as a precautionary measure, but other than that, it's pretty calm.' South Africans in Qatar say they've always felt safe, often more so than at home. 'I don't even lock my car or my front door,' said Vincent Mace, a Gqeberha native and IT specialist who has lived in Doha for nine years. 'I lock my front door when my dog wants to try and open the door,' he joked. 'In the morning, there were some posts going around from the American embassy about staying indoors,' he said. But it was his mom, an avid 'flighter', who tipped him off. 'She likes to go on to flight radar, and she said no flights had come into Qatar for two hours, so then I knew something was going on. She follows all the wars, all the time. So she's always got like the inside scoop for me at the beginning of everything,' Mace said. Mace had just sat down with coffee when the first blast hit. His seven-year-old daughter was playing outside on her bike. 'At first I thought it might be a truck passing,' he said. 'But when the next one came, and the next, I ran out the front door, shouted for her to come in and hit the voice note button on our WhatsApp group. 'Guys, missiles coming down. Missiles coming down. Everybody get inside,' he warned members of the South Africans in Qatar community chat. But, he said, being South Africans, most people didn't listen. 'I mean, South Africans, we never listened. We've got to go out and go see what's happening.' Mace helps run the Qatar Saffa Facebook and WhatsApp groups along with Johannesburg-born expat Brad Habana. 'Being South African and growing up in the latter part of apartheid, I've experienced the end part of it and have gone through things, but last night was completely different.' He described the surreal moment of seeing missiles intercepted in the sky as a first, while his three daughters, snuffled up with his wife in their villa, were beyond terrified at loud air explosions, he said. He said his mother-in-law, visiting from Cape Town, expressed gratitude for being in Qatar rather than South Africa, saying that had she not been there, she would have been stressing every single minute about her family's safety. Habana's wife Danielle, who works for an American institution, gave him a heads-up in the early part of the afternoon that something was potentially going to happen. So they immediately sent their driver to their daughters' school to get them to their villa. But despite Monday night's shock, Habana said there was a sense of calm, 'knowing what protection and safety Qatar provides on a daily basis'. He said the Qatari government was great at keeping people updated, and they ensured the citizens did not panic. During the incident, expat community chat groups buzzed with updates, questions and video clips. Some people went outside to film the sky; others stayed glued to Al Jazeera. By early morning, Qatar's airspace had reopened. 'Life here went straight back to normal,' said Mace. 'Schools were closed for the day, but by midday the teachers were sending photos from the marina, having a beer.' He and Habana will resume their community group's social events this week, including Bok Town, a South African-style rugby night. But the memory of Monday night lingers. 'There's never been a moment where we haven't felt safe here,' said Mace. 'That night was a shock to everybody.' Habana said family members were asking them to return to South Africa because of their 'fear of the unknown'. 'But I'm one of Brand South Africa's global network brand ambassadors, and yeah, I'm probably the most patriotic expat you will ever find outside of SA borders. So I have a duty to continue flying our rainbow nation flag and I – and my family – still feel like Qatar is our second home away from home at this point'. DM
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
SA engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push and presidential clemency
Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what their families and government officials have described as trumped-up drug charges. The pair were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on drug-related charges. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with mounting pressure from their families, legal representatives, and the South African government to secure their release. After sustained diplomatic efforts by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the engineers finally landed back in South Africa on Saturday night to emotional scenes at the airport. Their families have since requested privacy to celebrate the long-awaited reunion in peace. The breakthrough in the case came after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving senior government officials, including former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola. Both made official visits to Equatorial Guinea, where they lobbied for the release of the two men and raised concerns about the fairness of their trial. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri on Monday expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea's government for granting the clemency that allowed the two engineers to return home. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon,' said Phiri. 'We are pleased that Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham are safely back with their loved ones.' A family spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, described the homecoming as a bittersweet but joyous moment following more than two years of anguish and uncertainty. 'This is a happy day – one the families have waited for with hope and heartbreak,' said Murphy. 'The past two years and four months have been unimaginably painful. We express our deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – from legal experts to diplomatic teams – to bring Frik and Peter home.' Sources close to the negotiations say the engineers' release was also part of broader discussions about improving diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. President Obiang, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has previously used presidential pardons to manage international diplomatic tensions. In this case, South African officials praised his gesture as one of goodwill. While details of the engineers' detention conditions remain closely guarded, advocacy groups have raised concerns about their treatment and access to legal representation. As the men settle back into life at home, questions remain about how South Africans working abroad are protected and how future incidents can be prevented. 'This case highlights the importance of robust consular services and diplomatic channels in protecting our citizens abroad,' said a senior government official. For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding. 'We're just thankful that this nightmare is over,' Murphy added. 'Now it's time to move forward.'
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘We're bleeding but not finished': Motshekga defends struggling air force
While admitting the South African Air Force is in decline, Motshekga assured Parliament that steps are being taken to repair aircraft and stabilise capacity. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga says South African skies are protected despite the challenges facing the South African Air Force (SAAF). The minister was addressing the National Council of Provinces during the Peace and Security cluster question-and-answer session on Tuesday, where she was grilled about the operational readiness of the SAAF – among other defence-related issues. 'Sleep peacefully' 'You can sleep peacefully; your skies are safe, and we'll be able to do any obligations internally that we need to do for the safety of our country,' Motshekga said. This was in response to FF Plus member Tamarin Breedt's question about the extent to which the current state of affairs in the national air force is affecting South Africa's ability to meet its international and regional obligations. Grounded planes and lack of funding Motshekga had earlier admitted the SAAF is currently experiencing challenges, including grounded planes and lack of adequate funding. She said her department is engaging with Treasury and the Presidency to make sure they can salvage what the force already has. 'We have a number of planes that are off, but we also have a number of planes that have gone for servicing. So, we are struggling with the air force; we're bleeding, but we're not finished,' Motshekga said. She said the air force's ability to fly helicopters to areas affected by the recent floods was indicative of its capabilities and capacity, although not up to the desired level. ALSO READ: Why South Africa can't defend itself anymore The department is doing everything in its power to stop the decline of the SAAF from continuing, Motshekga said. 'We are in the process of procuring other capabilities, repairing capabilities, so there is progress and there is a process to make sure that we can arrest the decline…' VIP fleet spending DA member Nicholas Gotsell asked the minister why the department is prioritising the R415 million that is needed to maintain the presidential aircraft and the Falcon fleet used by VIPs, while key air defence transport remains grounded. In response, Motshekga said it's disingenuous to compare the capabilities of the SAAF to the capacity of the president's travelling means. Because it means we have to ground the president and get him [to fly] commercial,' Motshekga said. She declined to entertain Breedt's suggestion that President Cyril Ramaphosa must fly commercial 'like the rest of us do and like I believe he used to do in 2018 and 2019'. Motshekga said just as she and Breedt don't take buses to meetings, Ramaphosa will not be flying commercial. Measures for maintenance backlog With regard to measures put in place to minimise the maintenance backlog, the minister emphasised that the department has prioritised fixing and servicing the current aircraft before procuring new ones, which are going to be extremely expensive. 'We are looking at different means to get more money to ramp up the performance,' Motshekga said. NOW READ: SANDF troops return home from DRC after delay from logistical snag
