SA woman slammed for seeking refugee to join husband in US

JACQUELINE “Jackie” Botha, an Afrikaner woman from Gerberha, in the Eastern Cape is under fire after reports surfaced that she allegedly exploited the US refugee resettlement programme to reunite with her husband, who is already living in the United States.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU [e-mail]

Botha is among a group of 49 white South Africans who recently arrived in the US, claiming racial persecution in their home country.

However, social media users have questioned the legitimacy of these claims, calling her move opportunistic.

According to the local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Botha left her home in Rowallan Park, an affluent and family-oriented suburb in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth.

The neighborhood is described as quiet and leafy, and her residence reportedly had CCTV surveillance.

Reports indicate that the 52-year-old left South Africa with her three children.

A former employee of Botha told the news channel that her husband has been living abroad for the past two to three years.