South Africa Condemns US Refugee Plans for White Afrikaners

South Africa has voiced strong opposition to the United States' plans to accept white Afrikaners as refugees, labeling the move politically motivated. This follows President Trump's earlier assertions about white Afrikaners facing discrimination in South Africa and the potential for their resettlement in the US.

South Africa has expressed its disapproval of a reported US plan to accept white Afrikaners as refugees, suggesting the initiative is politically charged and aimed at undermining the nation's democratic framework. The announcement comes in the wake of an unconfirmed report which indicated that the Trump administration may start processing these refugee applications by next week.

The South African foreign ministry released a statement on Friday, calling the developments politically motivated, insisting that claims of racial discrimination against white citizens lack substantiation. In February, President Trump had described Afrikaners as victims of "racial discrimination" through an executive order that potentially paved the way for their resettlement in the US.

While the South African government has assured that it would not impede the relocation of those selected by the US, it has sought guarantees that the individuals slated for resettlement have been thoroughly vetted, with no pending criminal matters. The statement indicated that crime statistics do not support claims of targeted violence against any racial group on farms, despite assertions from groups advocating for the rights of white farmers.

A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed that interviews are underway for individuals wishing to resettle in the US, citing a focus on Afrikaners who reportedly face "unjust racial discrimination." However, the spokesperson refrained from confirming the exact timeline for the relocation process.

The Trump administration has simultaneously criticized South Africa, alleging that it has forcibly seized land from white farmers without providing adequate compensation—a claim that South African authorities have denied. Prominent figures in the Trump administration, including Elon Musk, have criticized the South African government for its approach to race relations, prompting claims of a "genocide" against white farmers.

According to US media reports, a group of 54 Afrikaners is expected to arrive as part of the initial resettlement phase, coinciding with the Trump administration's broader suspension of most migrant asylum claims. South Africa's response underscores the complex socio-political dynamics between the two nations, highlighting the contentious narrative surrounding race and privilege.