SA and US hold talks on white Afrikaners

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