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Economic Persecution Threatens Afrikaner-Only Settlement in South Africa
In a controversial move that has sparked accusations of economic persecution, the City of Tshwane has imposed a staggering 6,000% increase in property rates on Kleinfontein, an Afrikaner-only settlement near Pretoria. This drastic measure, effective from the 2024/2025 fiscal year, has raised monthly rates from R5,230 (approximately $290 USD) to R126,148 (approximately $7,068 USD), threatening the financial viability of the 600 families residing there.
Kleinfontein, founded in 1992 as a culturally segregated community, has long been a focal point for debates over race and land use in post-Apartheid South Africa. The settlement, which operates on a shareblock scheme similar to its sister town Orania, has been criticized for its exclusionary policies but also faces significant challenges due to its legal status. The recent reclassification of its land from agricultural to ‘non-permitted use’ by the municipality has escalated tensions, with residents and advocates arguing that the action amounts to state-sponsored economic persecution.
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A Drastic Rate Hike
The catalyst for the current crisis was the municipality’s decision to adjust Kleinfontein’s property valuation from R21 million to R126 million, a sixfold increase. This adjustment, combined with the zoning change, has resulted in the astronomical rate hike. Residents, many of whom are retired or middle-class professionals, now face an unaffordable financial burden that could lead to the loss of their homes.
Dannie de Beer, a spokesperson for Kleinfontein, expressed the community’s dismay in a video that has circulated widely on social media. “This is not just about rates; it’s about closing down Kleinfontein,” de Beer said. “It’s an eviction, a land grab. We cannot pay these amounts, and the motive seems clear: to make us leave.”
Accusations of Racial Bias
Critics of the municipality’s action point to the selective nature of the rate hike as evidence of racial bias. Kleinfontein is the only settlement in Tshwane subjected to such punitive measures, despite the existence of at least 19 other illegal developments in the area. Black informal settlements, which also often lack proper zoning approvals, have not faced similar rate increases, leading to accusations that the action is targeting the Afrikaner community specifically.
“This is economic persecution,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “We are being singled out because of who we are. Other areas with similar issues are not being treated this way.”
Legal and Political Context
The City of Tshwane defends the rate hike as an enforcement of zoning laws, arguing that Kleinfontein’s development on agricultural land without proper approvals warrants the reclassification to ‘non-permitted use.’ However, legal experts note that the extremity of the rate increase is unusual and could be challenged in court.
“We are looking at all legal options,” de Beer confirmed. “This decision is arbitrary and disproportionate. It violates our rights to fair treatment and equality.”
The situation is further complicated by the broader context of post-Apartheid land reform in South Africa. While the government has been working to address historical injustices, actions that disproportionately affect white communities have been contentious. The African National Congress (ANC) and other parties have faced criticism for policies perceived as reverse discrimination, and this case has reignited those debates.
International Reaction
The international community has taken note of the situation, with human rights organizations and diaspora groups expressing concern. “This appears to be a clear case of economic persecution,” said a representative from a global advocacy group. “The impact on these families is devastating, and the racial undertones cannot be ignored.”
Social media has been ablaze with discussions, with hashtags like #Kleinfontein trending. Supporters argue that the settlement’s cultural significance is under threat, while opponents see it as a necessary step towards integration and compliance with national laws.
Looking Ahead
As Kleinfontein residents prepare to challenge the rate hike legally, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in South Africa. The broader implications for racial harmony, land rights, and economic justice remain uncertain, but the situation underscores the ongoing tensions in a nation still grappling with its past.
For now, the 600 families of Kleinfontein face an uncertain future, their homes and community hanging in the balance as they confront what many see as a form of state-sponsored economic persecution.
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