South Africa has expressed its disapproval of the United States regarding reports that the U.S. may accept white Afrikaners as refugees as soon as next week. A document reviewed by CBS, a partner of the BBC in the U.S., mentions that resettlement for these individuals is considered a “priority” by the Trump administration; however, the White House has yet to confirm the timeline for such actions.
South Africa’s official stance on resettlement
On Friday, South Africa’s foreign ministry issued a statement labeling the proposed resettlement as “politically motivated,” asserting that it aims to undermine the nation’s “constitutional democracy.” In a previous remark made in February, Trump referred to Afrikaners as victims of “racial discrimination” in an executive order which paved the way for their potential relocation to the U.S.
The South African government has indicated that it will not interfere with the departure of those selected for resettlement. However, they have requested assurances from the U.S. regarding the thorough vetting of these individuals, emphasizing the importance that none have outstanding criminal charges.
Concerns regarding racial discrimination
Additionally, the South African statement asserted that claims of discrimination against the country’s white minority are baseless, highlighting that crime statistics show no evidence of any particular racial group being specifically targeted in violent crimes on farms. Despite this, some groups advocating for the rights of white farmers argue that they are being deliberately targeted for violence based on their race.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department confirmed that interviews are being conducted with individuals interested in resettling in the U.S., focusing on “Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.” However, they did not specify when the resettlement process would commence.
Moreover, the Trump administration has accused South Africa of expropriating land from white farmers without compensation, a claim that Pretoria has consistently denied. Documents obtained by CBS indicate that U.S. officials have organized a press event scheduled for Monday at Dulles Airport in Virginia to welcome the selected group.