Outrage over US deportation of criminals to eSwatini

Women's Movement objects to accepting hardened criminals and cites undermining the rule of law

- SIZWE DLAMINI AND LOYISO SIDIMBA

UNITED States President Donald Trump's administration's decision to send five dangerous, hardened criminals to eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) has sparked outrage in the neighbouring country and fears that they may end up in South Africa.

The Trump administration announced over a week ago that it would be sending the men who are immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba convicted of child rape, murder, burglary, and being gang members and whose countries refuse to take them back.

This week, the eSwatini Women's Movement raised concerns about whether the five individuals were informed of their removal and given access to consular support from their home countries as this is a fundamental right of anyone detained or deported across international borders.

It demanded to know who in the eSwatini government authorised the acceptance of these individuals, the legal basis for the move and if they were detained in line with a valid detention warrant or a certificate of detention as prescribed by the Immigration Act.

"If there is no such legal basis, under what authority are they being held? Any alternative basis for detention may contravene the Correctional Services Act No. 13 of 2017 and risks undermining the rule of law in eSwatini," the movement said.

In addition, it wants to know how much has been paid to the government of eSwatini to support the stay of the five deported individuals and the plan after the conclusion of their sentences.

The eSwatini government confirmed the transfer in a statement released by spokesperson Thabile Mdluli: "Indeed, five inmates are currently housed in our correctional facilities in isolated units, where similar offenders are kept. The government acknowledges the widespread concern regarding the deportation of third-country prisoners from the US into eSwatini."