Lobby group AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel argued on Tuesday that there are no legal grounds for the treason charges brought against the organisation, expressing its readiness for the investigation.

The Hawks have confirmed that four dockets of High Treason have been opened, following accusations of the spread of misleading information in the US on South Africa's Expropriation Act.

The Solidarity Movement and its organisations recently held meetings with representatives of US President Donald Trump’s administration to discuss concerns regarding South Africa’s policies.

Many have labelled the Solidarity Movement and its associated organisations as “treasonous”, with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party recently opening a case of treason against AfriForum.

However, the Solidarity Movement and its organisations have instead blamed the South African government, and particularly the African National Congress (ANC), for allegedly alienating the US and straining tensions.

Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said the dockets concerned some individuals that may have crossed the border to communicate things that had been perceived as treasonous.

He did not mention any names of organisations.

“…there are some organisations that are suspected to be involved, but certain complainants have indicated that this and that organisation seems to be the ones that are advocating something that appear to be high treason,” he said.

Lebeya said four case dockets were laid by different complainants, and some were laid by political parties.

He said the investigations were at the initial stage and that the Hawks would be working closely with the prosecuting authority.

Kriel highlighted that should the State decide to continue with actions against AfriForum, the organisation would strengthen its position to show that ANC leaders were abusing their power to govern against certain sections of the population.  

“…this abuse takes place while ANC leaders who have been implicated in corruption by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture go untouched,” he said.

Kriel emphasised that any potential court case would provide AfriForum with the platform to show how “disloyal” ANC leaders behaved towards ordinary people of the country by “gambling with the country’s future”.

“…this is done through reckless policies such as the Expropriation Act, the Basic Education Act Amendment Act, racial discrimination and a careless foreign policy,” he said.

AfriForum said it had not yet received any official notice of the Hawks’ investigation.

Meanwhile, the delegation to the US continued their discussions with role players this week.

Since last week, a delegation from AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidarity Movement have been meeting with politicians and other role players in the US to promote the interests of Afrikaners and South Africa.