54 Afrikaners Resettle in US as Refugees, Sparking Outrage in SA

A group of 54 Afrikaners preparing to leave South Africa for the United States under refugee status has reignited diplomatic tensions between the two nations, with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration slamming the move as a violation of South Africa’s sovereignty.

By Sunday, 49 individuals were waiting at OR Tambo International Airport for a chartered US flight that would begin their relocation process. The group claims to face persecution in South Africa, a claim strongly disputed by the government and analysts.

While the United States has granted them refugee status, South African authorities, including Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, criticised the decision, suggesting it was politically motivated and damaging to international relations.

“Disturbingly, one has to admit that our sovereignty as a country is being grossly undermined and violated by the US,” said Magwenya.

‘I can’t feed my children’ — desperate residents explain their decision

Among the group is Kirsten Van Deventer, a 48-year-old unemployed mother who said economic hardship had pushed her to the edge.

“I’m waiting to go because I have nothing in this country… I can’t pay for bread. My children are hungry, I have to feed them. I have no work… I don’t know if this country will let me leave,” Van Deventer said.

Meisie van Tonder, 38, from the Free State, echoed the sentiment, saying her family was reluctantly leaving South Africa in search of stability.

“I don’t want to go anywhere… I don’t have to go! But my husband is not happy here, so we have decided to go. We don’t know what the future holds,” she said Reported by IOL.

SA government disputes ‘refugee’ label, says no proof of persecution

The South African government has rejected the classification of the group as refugees. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation argued the term “refugee” does not apply, with spokesperson Chrispin Phiri saying the claims fail to meet the legal definition under international law.

“Even if there are allegations of discrimination, it is our view that these do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law,” Phiri stated.

The US embassy did not respond to questions on the criteria used to select the Afrikaner group, but reports indicate that the Department of Health and Human Services in the US is preparing support structures for their arrival, including accommodation, basic furnishings, and food.

Diplomatic fallout grows amid other points of conflict

This incident adds to existing friction between the US and South Africa, which recently disagreed over South Africa’s decision to pursue genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

President Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump reportedly agreed to meet in efforts to repair diplomatic ties. However, the South African government has remained firm in its criticism of the US’s handling of the refugee case.

AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl confirmed awareness of the relocation but denied the organisation’s involvement in selecting the individuals. AfriForum has previously been accused of feeding misinformation to the Trump administration.

Experts urge caution over refugee designation

Political analyst Sandile Swana said refugee status should be granted only in cases of documented and verifiable persecution, typically seen in conflict zones like Eritrea or the DRC.

“In South Africa, we do not have verifiable threats that target a specific ethnic group, specifically white Afrikaners, or people who hold certain political views or certain religious beliefs,” Swana said.

International relations expert Dr John Molepo warned that the incident has worsened an already strained relationship between the two countries.

“The resettlement of Afrikaners to the US is controversial and adds further pressure to the diplomatic tensions we’ve been witnessing,” Molepo said.

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Sourced:IOL

Picture: ENCA