AfriForum says ‘no legal basis’ for treason charges

The lobby group maintained that it had yet to receive official notification of the probe.

“There are simply no legal grounds for the charges, but should the state decide to continue with their actions against AfriForum, it will strengthen our position as it will show that there are indeed ANC leaders who abuse their power to govern against certain sections of the population,” said AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel.

The Hawks revealed on Monday that they are investigating four cases of high treason related to the spreading of false information.

The dockets are understood to have been opened against AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement.

The organisations recently met with the Trump administration in Washington over South Africa's expropriation policies and the alleged threat to Afrikaners.

Kriel added that any potential court proceedings would offer AfriForum a platform to highlight the behaviour of ANC leaders.

READ MORE: Treason charges probed by Hawks, NPA amid AfriForum US trip

Speaking to SABC News on Monday, Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya did not name the organisations under investigation but confirmed that four dockets had been opened regarding individuals who might have crossed borders to spread alleged misinformation.

"Four dockets that have been opened by different people, maybe from different political parties, that concern some individuals that may have crossed the border to go and communicate some of the things that are perceived to be in the direction of high treason,” Lebeya said, adding that the National Prosecution Authority would make a decision on potential arrests.

"We are investigating. This is the initial stage of the investigation of those types of crimes. You need to be careful in the way in which you collect that evidence.”

The cases, opened at various police stations, have been centralised for investigation by the Hawks.

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