Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino-Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE first group of white South Africans of Afrikaner origin, granted refugee status by United States President Donald Trump, yesterday arrived in Washington after a rigorous campaign against South Africa by right-wing lobby group, AfriForum.
AfriForum has accused South Africa’s government, a coalition composed largely of the African National Congress (ANC), of conducting a genocide and promoting racial discrimination against the Afrikaner population.
The accusations made as bait on the Trump administration, were believed by Washington which promoted AfriForum’s narrative by cutting aid to South Africa and offering refugee status to Afrikaners in an announcement made via an Executive Order on February 7.
“The United States cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,” reads part of the order.
The US has since upgraded its refugee status offer, opening up an expedited path to citizenship for the allegedly persecuted and threatened minority.
South Africa’s spokesperson for the Transport Ministry Mr Collen Msibi said the 49 soon-to-be US citizens were yesterday due to arrive at Dulles International Airport outside Washington.
However, South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations and Co-operation last week condemned the US’ decision to grant refugee status to Afrikaners, labelling it as politically motivated and a challenge to the country’s constitutional democracy.
It also claimed the relocation of its citizens had no justification and it could not stop the Afrikaner community from leaving as it respected their freedom of choice.
“We reiterate that allegations of discrimination are unfounded. The South African Police Service 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.”
