WATCH: AfriForum roadblock sparks data privacy and policing concerns in Gordon’s Bay

Tanja Hilchert from Somerset West says AfriForum stopped her at a late-night roadblock and scanned her personal details without consent.

Hilchert is speaking out after being stopped at what she describes as an AfriForum-run roadblock in Gordon’s Bay on Friday.

She said the incident occurred at around 9:15 pm on Faure Marine Drive shortly after the Harbour Island circle.

Hilchert explains why she copied CapeTalk presenter John Maytham into her e-mail to two DA ward councillors in Cape Town following the incident.

"I think this is a public interest matter."

She told Maytham that it was not a standard SAPS roadblock.

"All of a sudden there was a person standing in the road flashing a light, literally, this wasn't a traditional roadblock with cones and lights. Essentially, it was a security check."

She said the incident happened very quickly. "I really only computed afterwards," she says.

According to Hilchert, before she could open her window, her licence disc was scanned, and a young woman requested her driver’s licence.

"In all of this, I saw one police van, a SAPS van, but then lots and lots of people standing around."

It was only after her details were taken that Hilchert noticed the area was crowded with people wearing AfriForum T-shirts.

"I was completely gobsmacked, and I said, 'Are you from AfriForum?', and she said, 'Yes, it's neighbourhood watch, and I said, 'AfriForum, the political organisation?' and she said, 'The legal organisation."

It was once she had returned home that Hilchert said that she became very aggrieved.

"This is really not OK. It's a political organisation, they have ideological views, they're busy lobbying in the States for things that are detrimental to the country as a whole."

Hilchert was also concerned that the roadblock was illegal and, the fact that her details were taken, against the Protection of Personal Information Act.

"Make no mistake, AfriForum doing civic duty is fantastic. I saw them doing a beach cleanup. And I have no problem with visible policing and security checks, but I have a problem with political organisations doing that," says Hilchert.

She told Maytham that she will complain to the Information Regulator, and wants the City of Cape Town and local councillors to confirm whether political organisations should be allowed to run such operations. 

CapeTalk reached out to AfriForum for comment.

To watch Hilchert in conversation with Maytham, click below: