Ramaphosa to meet Trump, says 49 Afrikaners in US not 'refugees'

Preparations for President Cyril Ramaphosa to travel to the US on a working visit are at an advanced stage, said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

- Itumeleng Mafisa

Lamola briefed the media yesterday about preparations for the G20 summit and other related matters.

Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump will take place amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and South Africa over alleged human rights violations against Afrikaner farmers.

"The Presidency will soon announce the dates and the engagement will happen. I can only say that this is at an advanced stage," he said.

This comes after the US government flew some Afrikaner farmers and their families to Washington on Sunday, using a chartered flight.

The group will become refugees in the US and is the first to leave South Africa following Trump's executive order giving them refugee status.

Lamola denied that white Afrikaner farmers were being persecuted.

He said diplomatic engagements with Washington will continue to correct the false narrative that has been created in the US.