AfriForum to march against farm murders

2012-11-29 16:02

A police officer and his dog at the scene of a farm attack. (Felix Dlangamandla, Beeld)

Johannesburg - The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria granted AfriForum permission on Thursday to hold a march against farm murders, the civil rights group said.

Tshwane municipality initially gave permission for a march, but later changed its mind, AfriForum said in a statement.

"We regard the court's decision as a major victory and we are eagerly going ahead with the protest action," said AfriForum's counsel Werner Human.

"AfriForum is alone when it comes to peaceful and unarmed protest actions, making it ironic that the department of police tried to declare the action illegal."

AfriForum deputy CEO Ernst Roets contacted police ministry spokesperson Zweli Mnisi to arrange that a police representative accept a petition from marchers on Saturday.

In a statement, Roets said the attempt by the police to declare the protest action illegal was "clearly a case of political meddling" after they gave notice of the march on October 24.

The march, on December 1, is part of a campaign by AfriForum and Solidarity against farm attacks and to promote rural safety.

- SAPA