South Africa has criticised the United States following reports that Washington may begin accepting white Afrikaners as refugees as early as next week.
According to a document obtained by CBS, the US partner of the BBC, the proposed resettlement is marked as a “priority” for President Donald Trump’s administration, although the White House has yet to publicly confirm a start date.
In a statement released on Friday, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation condemned the reported move as “politically motivated” and aimed at discrediting the country’s “constitutional democracy”.
President Trump had previously referred to Afrikaners as victims of “racial discrimination” in an executive order issued in February, laying the groundwork for potential resettlement in the United States.
While the South African government has stated it will not obstruct the departure of those selected for the programme, it has requested assurances from US authorities that all individuals have been properly vetted and face no outstanding criminal charges.
The same statement dismissed claims of widespread discrimination against South Africa’s white minority, asserting that crime data does not support suggestions that any racial group is being specifically targeted in attacks on farms.
However, some organisations advocating for white farmers allege they are being intentionally murdered due to their race.
A spokesperson for the US State Department told the BBC that interviews are underway with individuals seeking to resettle, with particular attention given to “Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination”. No definitive date for the resettlement’s commencement was given.
The Trump administration has also accused South Africa of forcibly expropriating land from white farmers without compensation—a claim Pretoria has repeatedly denied.
Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Trump and a native of South Africa, has sharply criticised the South African government, going so far as to allege a “genocide” against white farmers.
According to CBS, US officials are planning a press briefing on Monday at Dulles International Airport in Virginia to receive the first group of arrivals, which is expected to include 54 Afrikaners.
The decision to resettle white South Africans comes even as the Trump administration has largely shut down asylum opportunities for migrants from other parts of the world.
Back in February, South Africa strongly condemned the executive order that paved the way for the move, stating it was “ironic” that the US would welcome “a group that remains amongst the most economically privileged” while refusing protection to more vulnerable populations globally.
