Excerpt: Liberty Fighters Network has been unusually quiet the past few weeks — but not because the work has slowed down. From urgent environmental litigation in the Western Cape to standing alone against taxpayer-funded legal teams in multiple courtrooms, the past weeks have been relentless. In this update, Reyno De Beer explains where LFN has been, the battles fought for members and the public interest, and why the organisation now urgently needs the support of its Liberators to keep the fight going.
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For the past few weeks many of our supporters may have wondered why things suddenly became quiet from the Liberty Fighters Network side.
The truth is simple.
We have been in court. Again. And again. And again.
Over the past few weeks LFN has moved from one courtroom to another across South Africa — from Cape Town to Pretoria — fighting for environmental accountability, property rights, and the protection of ordinary citizens who would otherwise stand alone against powerful institutions.
Cape Town – The Environmental Battle
The journey started in the High Court in the Western Cape Division.
LFN launched legal proceedings relating to the failure of the Premier of the Western Cape to appoint the Commissioner for the Environment, a position that has existed in the Western Cape Constitution since 1998 but has never been filled.
That absence has consequences.
One of those consequences is the controversial Baboon Action Plan affecting the Cape Peninsula baboon population. Concerns were raised and complaints were lodged regarding the environmental implications of the plan, but the very constitutional office that should have dealt with such complaints simply does not exist.
So the matter ended up where many of these issues eventually land — in court. The hearing was on 19 February 2026.
Standing in that courtroom once again illustrated a reality that has become familiar to us. On one side, state institutions represented by extensive legal teams funded by taxpayers. On the other side, Liberty Fighters Network, standing to raise issues that affect the public interest.
Judgment in the matter was delivered on 25 February 2026. Regrettably, the Court dismissed the Applicants’ urgent interim relief sought. In our respectful view, where urgency is not accepted, established practice ordinarily dictates that the matter be removed from the urgent roll rather than dismissed outright, thereby allowing the issues to proceed in the ordinary course. In light of this, the Applicants have since lodged an application for leave to appeal against the judgment.
The Expropriation Act Case
Only a week later on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, we were back in the Western Cape High Court again, this time relating to the national Expropriation Act challenge.
LFN had applied to participate as amicus curiae because of the far-reaching consequences that this legislation may have for property rights in South Africa.
However, repeated procedural failures by the legal team representing the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure created a situation where the matter risked being delayed even further.
Rather than allow our participation to become part of the reason for further delays affecting the other, probably thirty parties across four separate cases, we made a difficult decision.
We withdrew our application.
It was the responsible thing to do.
But what happened next was astonishing.
The very legal team whose conduct contributed to the withdrawal then attempted to obtain a cost order against Liberty Fighters Network.
So once again we found ourselves standing in court — facing a courtroom filled with taxpayer-funded lawyers — opposing an attempt to punish us for choosing not to delay the proceedings.
Judgment had been reserved in that instance.
Returning Home — Straight Into Another Fight
After returning from Cape Town there was hardly time to unpack before the next matter demanded attention.
An 80-year-old member of LFN is currently fighting to keep his home against repossession by ABSA Bank.
Our position is that reckless lending was extended to him despite his advanced age and financial circumstances. Losing one’s home at such an age is not merely a legal issue — it is a human one.
We stepped in to assist him in court. This matter continues to proceed.
Another Member Facing Eviction
The following week brought yet another courtroom appearance on 12 March 2026.
This time we assisted one of our member companies that is facing eviction from residential premises being used as accommodation for its general manager.
Again, the purpose was simple: ensuring that people who would otherwise stand alone against the legal system are not left without support.
After presenting arguments throughout the morning opposing the landowner’s counsel’s attempt to obtain an eviction order, the magistrate decided to postpone the application for hearing until 7 May 2026. A small victory for us.
Pretoria – Standing Against SAHPRA and the Reserve Bank
Then came yesterday.
I appeared in the High Court in Pretoria for an application for leave to appeal in a matter involving the Registrar of the High Court.
The case concerns the alteration of court orders that had already been sealed, signed and dated — something which we believe should never occur.
The earlier judgment dismissing our case was delivered on 2 January 2026, and yesterday we returned to court to seek leave to challenge that decision.
Once again the courtroom dynamic was familiar.
On one side, legal teams representing SAHPRA and the South African Reserve Bank, both supported by taxpayer-funded resources.
On the other side, only Liberty Fighters Network.
Just me.
Standing there and arguing the case.
The Cost of Fighting
This is the reality of public-interest activism in South Africa.
While these cases are necessary, they also come with a cost.
Moving from court to court over the past weeks meant that I simply did not have the time needed to attend to the administrative and financial matters required to keep Liberty Fighters Network running smoothly.
As a result we now find ourselves under serious financial pressure.
Several payments could not be made, including:
- Our MTN contract phone
- Our website hosting, which is due for suspension on 16 March 2026
- Payment of around R2500 to cover arrears on municipal bills before we may load new prepaid electricity
- Other operational expenses
Most concerning is the fact that LFN is now even facing eviction ourselves due to rental arrears.
Why Your Support Matters
Liberty Fighters Network does not charge the people we assist.
We rely entirely on voluntary support from members and the public.
It is also important to mention something our supporters may understandably ask about. During the two weeks we were in Cape Town for the court proceedings, Monkey Valley Resort generously covered our travel and accommodation, for which we remain extremely grateful. My family and I were treated with great kindness during that time. However, while those expenses were kindly taken care of, the ordinary operational costs of Liberty Fighters Network continued to run as usual back home — including our office rent, communications, website hosting, and other ongoing commitments. Those obligations unfortunately do not pause simply because we are in court.
Every court appearance, every case we challenge, every member we help — all of it is made possible by the support of people who believe that ordinary South Africans should not have to face powerful institutions alone.
If you are in a position to assist, we humbly ask that you consider supporting LFN with a donation.
Your support keeps this work alive.
More Updates Coming
Over the coming days I will provide detailed feedback on each of these matters, starting early this coming week with the environmental litigation and continuing with the other cases.
There is much to report.
For now, I simply want to thank every supporter and Liberator who continues to stand with us.
You make this work possible.
If you like our work, why not consider a donation or gift of your choice?
or make a quick donation… MobiPaid
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