Tensions rise as South Africa defends deportation of Kenyans as US threatens 'severe consequences'
The United States has warned of “severe consequences” as South Africa defends the deportation of Kenyan nationals and denied wrongdoing following a raid on a Johannesburg facility processing US-bound refugees.
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The South African government says the recent deportation of seven Kenyan nationals by the Department of Home Affairs was conducted in strict accordance with South African immigration law.
“These individuals were engaged in work without the necessary work permits. The government will not negotiate its sovereignty and the implementation of the rule of law,” said Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) in Pretoria.
Home Affairs outlines Johannesburg operation
IOL reported on Wednesday that the Department of Home Affairs had arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working in South Africa while in possession of tourist visas, following an intelligence-driven operation in Johannesburg.
According to a media statement issued on Wednesday, the operation was conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies after intelligence reports indicated that Kenyan nationals had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and taken up employment at a centre processing applications for “refugees” to the United States.
The Department of Home Affairs said applications submitted for Kenyan nationals to legally perform the work of vetting US-bound refugees in South Africa had previously been declined, yet the individuals were found engaging in employment in violation of their visa conditions.
The seven Kenyan nationals were arrested, issued with deportation orders and will be barred from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.
Dirco rejects data-leak allegations
On Thursday evening, Dirco said it had also noted what it described as an unsubstantiated allegation regarding the leaking of private information belonging to United States officials following the Johannesburg operation.
“South Africa treats all matters of data security with the utmost seriousness and operates under stringent legal and diplomatic protocols. We categorically reject any suggestion of state involvement in such actions,” said Phiri.
“Nonetheless, we remain committed to principled and transparent diplomacy. Official channels have been opened with the United States government to seek clarity on this allegation and to reinforce that our bilateral engagements must be grounded in mutual respect and factual dialogue.”
US issues warning after raid
The Dirco statement followed a strongly worded response from the United States Embassy in Pretoria, which condemned the South African government’s raid on the Johannesburg facility processing Afrikaner “refugees”.
“The US condemns in the strongest terms the South African government’s recent detention of US officials performing their duties to provide humanitarian support to Afrikaners. Furthermore, the public release of our US officials’ passport information is an unacceptable form of harassment,” the US Embassy in South Africa’s press office said in a statement.
“This can only be seen as an attempt to intimidate US government personnel in South Africa on official business. The United States will not tolerate such behaviour toward its government’s officials – or toward any of its citizens – who are legally and peacefully operating abroad. The public release of personal identifying information puts the official in harm’s way.”
The US Embassy said failure by the South African government to hold those responsible accountable would result in “severe consequences”.
“We call on the government of South Africa to take immediate action to bring this situation under control and hold those responsible accountable,” the diplomatic mission said.
Background: Afrikaner refugees to the US
Armed with US flags, the group listened intently as they were welcomed at Dulles International Airport in Virginia following their flight from Johannesburg.
While some South Africans have expressed disbelief over how these white South Africans were officially recognised as refugees by US President Donald Trump, it was announced at the time that the group would be starting their lives over in the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”.
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