'We never used the term white genocide'

The trade union has accused the minister in the presidency of rhetoric instead of focusing on facts

- Des Erasmus

Trade union Solidarity has issued a letter of demand to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, accusing her of defamation, intimidation and unconstitutional conduct in a series of public statements that it says were "false, harmful and insulting" and intended to damage its public standing.

The letter outlines a set of grievances against Ntshavheni arising from statements she made during a media briefing on 27 March, and public statements she made on 13 May. Solidarity has given the minister seven days to retract her claims and issue an apology, or it will pursue legal action.

Ntshavheni has accused Solidarity and Afrikaner rights group AfriForum of conducting a continued misinformation campaign involving farm murders and the persecution of minorities, and of peddling the same when the organisations were in the United States.

Solidarity's demand follows the departure of 49 Afrikaners to the US last week, after they were granted asylum.

Their relocation was made in line with a policy under President Donald Trump's administration, which allows Afrikaners and other racial minorities from South Africa to apply for refugee status if they can demonstrate "either a history of persecution or a credible fear of future persecution".