More Afrikaners leave for the US

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump was aware there was no white genocide in South Africa but wanted to use the claim to get his way.

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE and MASHUDU SADIKE

This was the view of international relations expert Rich Mashimbye who asserted that even if Trump was advised otherwise, it would not make a difference.

This comes as Mark Burns, a close ally of Trump, returned from a visit to South Africa with a message contradicting claims of genocide against Afrikaner farmers in the country.

Burns, who is the founder and CEO of the NOW television network, met with Afrikaner farmers and business owners during his trip and concluded that there was no evidence to support the claims of genocide.

It also comes as a second, small batch of Afrikaners quietly arrived in the US on Friday as part of Trump's offer to resettle them amidst claims of white genocide and persecution in South Africa.

While spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Chrispin Phiri said they are not aware of the second batch of Afrikaners landing in the US, trade union Solidarity said the group, smaller than the first to arrive in the US, included children.

Last month the first group of more than 49 South African Afrikaners landed in the US after a private plane was chartered for them.

Trump in February had issued an executive order where Washington cited the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 as one that enables the persecution of Afrikaners.