South Africa Rejects US Claim on White Refugees

The South African government has strongly rejected the United States’ claim that Afrikaners from the country qualify as refugees, describing the move as “entirely politically motivated” and designed to question South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said the allegations of discrimination against Afrikaners were unfounded, citing statistics from the South Africa Police Services that do not support claims of violent crime targeted at farmers or any particular race. The ministry emphasized that South Africa has sufficient structures in place to address concerns of discrimination and that any allegations do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law.

The ministry noted that South Africa has a principled commitment to protecting minorities and vulnerable groups, as demonstrated through progressive judgments from the courts, particularly the Constitutional Court. The government also highlighted its efforts to prevent discrimination, including the entrenchment of rights in the Constitution, which is enforced through the judicial system.

Despite rejecting the US claim, South Africa will not block citizens who seek to depart the country from doing so, as it observes their right to freedom of movement and freedom of choice. Close to 70,000 South Africans have expressed interest in moving to the US following Washington’s offer to resettle people from the Afrikaner community, according to a business group. The South African government has sought clarification from the US on the status of persons departing the country and assurances that they have been properly vetted by competent authorities.