Land Party leader Gcobani Ndzongana is considering legal action against the producers of a documentary about the 2018 Hermanus unrest, claiming he was coerced and lied to into taking part. Ndzongana alleges that American producer Joe Emilio failed to disclose AfriForum's involvement in the film, despite knowing of his opposition to the organisation. He has withdrawn his consent for the use of his interview, image, voice, and related material in the documentary, Stolen Ground: The Hermanus Story.
The documentary, scheduled for release on Friday, examines the 2018 unrest surrounding the Schulphoek land occupation, the alleged destruction of a protected milkwood forest, and the political decisions that followed. The dispute unfolded amid tensions over land occupation and housing in Zwelihle, with residents occupying land in Schulphoek in March 2018, and protests escalating in July following Ndzongana's arrest. The unrest included road blockades, the burning of infrastructure, and clashes with police.
Ndzongana claims that AfriForum had previously tried to have him assassinated during the 2018 unrest and alleges that the documentary could be used to advance claims about white genocide and land seizures in South Africa. He also accused AfriForum of trying to use him and the documentary to perpetuate their claims. However, these allegations have not been verified, and it is unclear if the documentary intends to promote such claims.
Despite considering legal action, Ndzongana confirmed that he would not seek to block the documentary's release. "Let them release it. I will consider all my legal options," he said. Another prominent Land Party member, Vanessa Swanepoel, also appears in the documentary, with Ndzongana claiming she was drawn into participating in a similar way.
AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said that the organisation had sponsored the production but was not responsible for making the documentary. "AfriForum is merely sponsoring the production; it is not our production," Kriel said. He added that AfriForum did not need permission from others to sponsor productions and said Ndzongana was welcome to take the organisation to court.
The documentary features interviews with various individuals, including Ndzongana and Swanepoel, and explores the complexities of the 2018 Hermanus unrest. While Ndzongana has withdrawn his consent, it is unclear if the documentary's release will be affected. The film's producers have not commented on the matter.
The controversy surrounding the documentary highlights the ongoing tensions over land occupation and housing in South Africa. The issue has been a point of contention for various organisations, including AfriForum, which has been involved in several high-profile disputes over land rights. As the documentary prepares for release, it remains to be seen how it will be received and what impact it will have on the ongoing debate.
Key points
- Land Party leader Gcobani Ndzongana considers legal action against producers of AfriForum-funded documentary.
- Ndzongana claims he was misled about AfriForum's involvement in the film.
- The documentary examines the 2018 Hermanus unrest and its aftermath.
