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The first group stood in line to check in at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday night.
Image used for illustration. Picture: iStock
The first group of South Africans granted refugee status by US President Donald Trump’s administration will leave Johannesburg tonight for a new life in America.
Trump launched “Mission South Africa” in March, promising certain South Africans a quicker route to US citizenship because the government was seizing their land. He described their situation in SA as “horrible”. Claims the SA government have denied.
Trump said that “any farmer” who was “seeking to flee South Africa for reasons of safety” might apply to become a US citizen.
The first group to take up Trump’s offer stood in line to check in at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday night. Their flight was reportedly set to depart at 8pm.
A strong police presence was in the departure area, as trolleys filled with massive wrapped bags snaked through the aisles.
At least 45 Afrikaners are reportedly part of the group that are leaving. They refused to speak to the media.
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International Relations Department (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said SA will not block white South Africans or Afrikaners who want to leave the country.
“Whilst South Africa challenges the United States’ assessments of alleged refugee status, it will not block citizens who seek to depart the country from doing so, as it also observes their right of freedom of movement and freedom of choice, specifically the right to leave the country, as contained in section 21(2) of the Constitution.
“However, it is essential that in doing so, South Africa ensures that it is compliant with other domestic laws and prescripts.”
Phiri said allegations of discrimination against Afrikaners were “unfounded”.
“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, Phiri said.
“A country which has, in fact, suffered true persecution under apartheid rule and has worked tirelessly to prevent such levels of discrimination from ever occurring again, including through the entrenchment of rights in our Constitution, which is enforced vigorously through our judicial system.
“In addition, it is not clear how the principle of non-refoulement will be applied in relation to these citizens once they are resettled.”
The department has also sought clarity on the status of those leaving the country.
“Dirco has sought assurances as to whether the persons have been appropriately vetted by competent South African authorities to ensure that they do not have any outstanding criminal cases pending against them; amongst others.
“The Government of South Africa remains dedicated to constructive dialogue with the United States of America, anchored in mutual respect for sovereignty, the rule of law, and shared commitment to deepening mutually beneficial bilateral partnership.”
Additional reporting by Faizel Patel
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