US President Donald Trump offered to Afrikaner farmers to relocate to the US as refugees.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has suggested that no Afrikaner farmers’ citizenship will be revoked, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has seemingly dismissed the idea of offering refuge to African Americans in South Africa.
This comes amid growing tensions between South Africa and the United States.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that cuts financial aid to South Africa earlier this year, citing the government’s foreign policy and certain laws, such as the Expropriation Act and the country’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Trump also extended an offer to Afrikaner farmers to relocate to the US as refugees – an offer some have declined.
Home Affairs Minister on US’s refugee offer to Afrikaner farmers
In response to recent developments, EFF MP Thapelo Mogale raised a parliamentary question asking Schreiber for the full details of his department’s stance on the US government’s refugee resettlement offer to Afrikaners.
Mogale also asked whether Schreiber would revoke the South African citizenship of those Afrikaners who chose to take up the US offer.
Schreiber responded, stating that refugee matters are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Home Affairs.
ALSO READ: Farmers’ organisation adding fuel to the SA-US brawl – experts
“The department does not administer the policy on resettlement of refugees.
“This remains the responsibility of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the country where such refugees would wish to be resettled to,” he explained.
The minister also addressed the question about revoking citizenship.
“[The] revocation of the status of any person is handled strictly in terms of the requirements of the Constitution, the rule of law, rationality, and just administrative action.”
Ramaphosa question
In a separate question, Mogale asked Ramaphosa whether he planned to offer refuge to African American farmers, who have allegedly faced years of discriminatory practices in the US, such as land loss and insufficient government support.
But Ramaphosa referred to the Refugees Act.
READ MORE: WATCH: ‘Trump doesn’t hold grudges’ – Presidency
“The Refugees Act of 1998 is the primary legal instrument governing the status and rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
“This Act provides a clear definition of a refugee and establishes the criteria for granting asylum, emphasising the need to protect individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group,” he stated.
US tariffs
Earlier this month, Trump announced a 30% tariff on South Africa’s imports into the US, a move that was expected to negatively impact the country’s farming community.
The US president, however, later decided to suspend these tariffs, with the exception of those targeting China, for 90 days.
The South African government has since appointed Mcebisi Jonas to lead an envoy to the US aimed at mending ties, following the expulsion of former ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared “persona non grata” due to his comments about the Trump administration.
NOW READ: US tariffs: Farmers hardest hit as AfriForum’s ‘fearmongering’ backfires
