By Simon Nare
South Africa will need to satisfy itself on the status of white people who will be resettled in the United States as refugees following US President Donald Trump’s executive order in February defining them as “victims of unjust racial discrimination”.
This was part of a “cordial” discussion on the resettlement of white South Africans held between International Relations Deputy Minister Alvis Botes and his US counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, on Friday.
The ministry said in a statement following the meeting that despite South Africa challenging the US’s assessment of the alleged refugee status, it would not block anyone from resettling.
“However, it is essential that in doing so, South Africa ensures that it is compliant with other domestic laws and prescripts,” it said.
It added that through the diplomatic channels, the department has asked for the status of those who would be departing, whether as asylum seekers, refugees or ordinary citizens.
It also wanted assurances on if they had been appropriately vetted by competent South African authorities to ensure that they did not have any outstanding criminal cases pending against them, amongst others.
The department said Friday’s meeting followed engagements via diplomatic channels where the government expressed concern about information conveyed that the US has started the resettlement process.
According to Reuters, Trump’s administration was aiming to bring the first group of white South Africans to the US via its refugee programme as soon as next week. The news agency spoke to three people familiar with the matter.
About 50 Afrikaners would be flown to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and participate in a press conference. They would then fly to their US destinations.
The sources cautioned that their arrival had already been delayed by a week and that the plans could change. As of Thursday afternoon, a charter plane intended to ferry them to the US had not secured a landing permit, according to Reuters.
The South African government questioned the motivation behind the resettlement.
“It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being ‘refugees’ is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa’s constitutional democracy,” the statement read.
This was happening to a country that had suffered true persecution under apartheid rule and worked tirelessly to prevent such levels of discrimination from ever occurring again, including through the entrenchment of rights the Constitution, it said.
“In addition, it is not clear how the principle of non-refoulement will be applied in relation to these citizens once they are resettled. We reiterate that allegations of discrimination are unfounded.
“The South Africa Police Services statistics on farm related crimes do not support allegations of violent crime targeted at farmers generally or any particular race. There are sufficient structures available within South Africa to address concerns of discrimination,” the department said.
It said that the determination of refugee status required a factual assessment in light of the prevailing circumstances, having due regard for both subjective and objective factors.
And even if there were allegations of discrimination, these would not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law.
“The government of South Africa remains dedicated to constructive dialogue with United States of America, anchored in mutual respect for sovereignty, the rule of law and shared a commitment to deepening mutually beneficial bilateral partnership,” it said.
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