SA Government rejects the 'refugee' label for Afrikaners resettled in US

A GROUP of 49 South African Afrikaners has officially been granted asylum in the US and arrived on American soil this past week, prompting concern and condemnation from the South African government.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

The US cited ongoing racial discrimination, farm attacks, and threats of expropriation without compensation as the basis for offering refugee protection, calling it a humanitarian response to the “persecution of Afrikaners”.

In a statement, the US government said: “This tremendous accomplishment, at the direction of Secretary Rubio, responds to President Trump's call to prioritise US refugee resettlement of this vulnerable group facing unjust racial discrimination in South Africa. We stand with these refugees as they build a better future for themselves and their children in the US.”

The US added that “no one should have to fear having their property seized without compensation or becoming the victim of violent attacks because of their ethnicity,” noting that more Afrikaners will be welcomed in the coming months.

The move, however, was met with sharp criticism in Pretoria.

Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed that Deputy Minister Alvin Botes held a “cordial discussion” with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on May 9, following engagements via diplomatic channels.

“The Government expressed concerns with the information conveyed that the US has commenced with processing alleged refugees from South Africa and will begin resettling these citizens in the US,” Phiri said.

South Africa pointed to the internationally recognised 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee as someone with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.