South Africa Condemns US Plans for Afrikaner Refugees

South Africa's foreign ministry has strongly rebuked the United States over reports that the Trump administration is prioritizing the resettlement of Afrikaners facing alleged racial discrimination. The South African government has demanded assurances about the vetting of selected individuals while maintaining that claims of targeted violence against white farmers are baseless.

South Africa has expressed strong objections to the United States in light of news suggesting that the Trump administration may begin resettling white Afrikaners as refugees starting next week. According to a document accessed by CBS, this initiative has been labeled a "priority" by President Donald Trump's government, although the White House has not officially confirmed any specific timeline.

In a statement released on Friday, South Africa’s foreign ministry characterized the proposed refugee plan as "politically motivated," arguing that it seeks to undermine the country's "constitutional democracy." Earlier in February, President Trump had identified Afrikaners as victims of "racial discrimination" through an executive order, thereby facilitating their possible relocation to the US.

While South African authorities have asserted that they will not obstruct the departure of individuals chosen for resettlement, they have called for assurances from their American counterparts to ensure that those selected have undergone thorough vetting and are free of pending criminal charges.

The South African government reiterated its stance against allegations of discrimination aimed at the white minority, claiming crime statistics do not support the notion that any racial group, specifically white farmers, faces targeted violence. Nevertheless, certain advocacy groups maintain that white farmers are being intentionally killed due to their race.

A spokesperson from the US State Department disclosed that interviews are taking place with individuals interested in resettlement, emphasizing a focus on "Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination." However, they declined to reveal the date when resettlement could commence.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Trump administration has accused South Africa of expropriating land from white farmers without compensation, a claim that Pretoria repeatedly contests.