SA on edge as US sends hardened criminals to Swaziland

THE decision by the United States President Donald Trump's administration to send five dangerous, hardened criminals to the neighbouring Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) took citizens by surprise and shock.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

IOL reported earlier this week that the move has also sparked outrage in the small landlocked nation, and fears abound that the criminals may end up in South Africa.

The Trump administration announced over a week ago that it would be sending the men who are illegal 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.

Speaking to IOL, Bheki Makhubu, editor of the monthly news magazine The Nation, said people of eSwatini feel betrayed.

“Essentially, emaSwati feel they were betrayed by the leadership of eSwatini. This move came as a complete surprise and seems to have been arranged and known by only a select few people. This deal feels like an invasion of our country by the US. We feel our leaders have sold our country to Trump behind our backs,” he said.