Name and Shame: Pressure Mounts on AfriForum and Solidarity to Expose Alleged Paid Journalists

Key Takeaways

• AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement have accused the State Security Agency (SSA) and the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) of paying journalists to discredit them
• The organizations have applied to access information about the alleged payments, but have not yet released the names of the journalists involved
• The allegations have sparked skepticism and criticism on social media, with many calling for transparency and evidence to support the claims
• AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement have been at the center of controversy in recent months, particularly following their lobbying trip to the US in February
• The organizations have criticized the South African government’s treatment of minorities and have raised concerns about issues such as farm murders, public rhetoric inciting violence, and discriminatory policies

Introduction to the Controversy
AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement are facing mounting pressure on social media to publish the names of journalists they claim are being paid by the State Security Agency (SSA) and the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) to discredit the two lobby groups. The calls followed a video posted online by AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel in which he alleged that journalists were being financially incentivized by the state to undermine AfriForum and Solidarity. According to Kriel, AfriForum has received reliable information from a prominent former journalist that at least two South African journalists are being paid by the SSA and Dirco to discredit AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement.

The Allegations and Response
Kriel stated that AfriForum has taken formal steps to obtain clarity on the matter and has officially applied in terms of the Access to Information Act to the department of international relations, as well as the State Security Agency, to provide them with the names of those academics, journalists, and commentators that are being paid by them. However, several social media users expressed skepticism, arguing that the seriousness of the allegations required transparency. Many called for AfriForum to name the journalists involved, with one user saying, "It is very simple if this is true. Name names. Tell us who? Expose whoever it is? But if no names are provided, it just paints a narrative against all journalists in SA." Another user was dismissive of the claims, writing, "No sane thinking black journo needs any influence when it comes to the likes of you. You people are too transparent not to be seen for what you still are?"

Background to the Controversy
The controversy comes in the wake of AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement’s lobbying trip to the US in February, where they met with political figures and policy influencers in Washington, DC. During the visit, the groups sought to raise concerns about what they described as the South African government’s treatment of minorities. They said the trip aimed to draw international attention to issues they believed the Ramaphosa administration had ignored or refused to negotiate on and called on the US to apply sustained pressure on what they described as an "arrogant" government. Among the issues raised were farm murders, which the groups claim are being downplayed despite official crime statistics disputing the characterization of these crimes as racially targeted.

Criticism of Government Policies
AfriForum and Solidarity also criticized government policies and legislation such as the Expropriation Act and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, arguing that these discriminate on the basis of race and threaten minority rights. They warned that these laws, together with broader governance failures, were contributing to economic decline and social instability. The groups also discussed the possibility of Afrikaners seeking refuge or resettlement abroad, including in the US, and called for support for initiatives such as an Afrikaner development fund. Solidarity also raised concerns about South Africa’s foreign policy and its relationships with countries such as Russia, China, and Iran, arguing that these stances could place the country at odds with Western democracies.

Backlash and Denials
The US trip sparked strong backlash at home, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and other government leaders condemning it as unpatriotic and accusing the organizations of spreading misinformation that could harm South Africa’s international standing. AfriForum has denied spreading disinformation, particularly claims that the government is committing genocide against Afrikaners. In an interview with SAFM, Kriel said, "AfriForum never spread any misinformation. The real misinformation that is being spread is by those who are trying to deny the real threats that the Expropriation Act has for the economy of the country." The controversy highlights the deep-seated tensions and divisions within South African society, with AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement pushing for greater recognition of minority rights and the government accused of ignoring or downplaying these concerns. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether AfriForum will release the names of the journalists they claim are being paid to discredit them, and what impact this will have on the ongoing debate about minority rights and government accountability in South Africa.