Latest news with #ChrispinPhiri
The South African
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
'No food, job or phones': Afrikaner 'refugee' family 'stranded' in US
An Afrikaner 'refugee' family have reportedly been left stranded in the US, and is appealing for help on Facebook. The startling revelation was made by a South African expat on TikTok. Two groups of white South Africans have taken up 'refugee status' in the US in recent weeks, as part of a programme open to 'persecuted' people. On her TikTok account, South African expat @catmpt revealed that she had come across an Afrikaner 'refugee' family in dire need of help. The family of four was reportedly stranded at a hotel in Montana without food, money, or a cellphone. Instead, they had reached out to a Facebook group for help. The woman said of the 'refugees': 'They were understanding that they would be arriving here for complete assistance. People thought they would be arriving at a house, a job, medical insurance, and other things. It isn't that way at all. She added: 'Because of the political situation, they are really struggling to get jobs'. The woman revealed that she had left South Africa more than a decade ago, but had gone through a lengthy process. She also criticised Afrikaner 'refugees' for having unrealistic expectations. She continued, 'One side of me is like, 'F**k that. 'My husband and I went through all of the red tape, and we got our visas…we've got our green card. We've been here ten years. We did everything the right way. 'Here, these people, regardless of what they were promised, just came here expecting everything'. @catpmt What would you do? #traumatok #southafricanrefugees #southafricatiktok #tsek #anxiety #livingintheusa ♬ original sound – Cat's Tales Last month, the Department of International Relations (DIRCO) stated that South African 'refugees' in the US would not have access to any diplomatic assistance whilst abroad. The 'persecuted' South Africans would instead be assisted by the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), which was signed as an Executive Order by President Donald Trump. As part of the Afrikaner Act, the group was also given Priority-2 refugee status, which provides them with start-up assistance like money, jobs, and even a house. According to DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, refugees 'simply can't return home for a braai and go back'. He added: 'Even the word itself refugee suggests that you are seeking refuge from a particular country. 'You can't be seeking refugee status, then go back home, have a braai, then go back. It defeats the purpose of you being protected and a refugee of a particular country,' he said For Afrikaner 'refugees' hoping to return home willingly for good, voluntary repatriation is always an option. Organisations like the UNHCR help those who wish to travel back to their countries by providing financial assistance. DIRCO added that 'refugees' would be welcomed back as citizens. However, they would have to revoke their status in order for this to happen. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Sky News AU
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Dozens of Afrikaners land in US after Donald Trump offers refuge from South African ‘genocide'
President Trump accused South Africa Monday of engaging in 'genocide' against its white minority as the first planeload of Afrikaners granted refugee status touched down in the US. 'It is a genocide that is taking place that you people don't want to write about,' Trump told reporters at the White House before signing an executive order meant to reduce drug prices. 'It's a terrible thing that's taking place and farmers are being killed,' he added. 'They happen to be white, but whether they are white or black makes no difference to me.' Trump signed an executive order Feb. 7 freezing aid to South Africa in response to a law passed last year allowing the majority black government to 'seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation,' in the words of the White House. Exactly a month later, the president announced that 'any farmer' fleeing South Africa can come to America and receive a 'rapid pathway' to citizenship. On Monday, 49 Afrikaners, descendants of primarily Dutch settlers who arrived at the southern tip of Africa in the mid-1600s, landed at Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. The US gave South Africa more than $320 million in fiscal year 2024, mostly for health and humanitarian aid. The Expropriation Act of 2024 was enacted following a 2017 study that found white South Africans controlled about 75% of individually-owned farms more than two decades after the end of apartheid — despite making up just 7% of South Africa's population. 'It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being 'refugees' is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa's constitutional democracy,' foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said in a statement. Meanwhile, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church announced Monday that the mainline Protestant denomination would no longer work with the federal government to resettle refugees after being asked to help find new homes for the South Africans. 'In light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step,' wrote the Most Rev. Sean Rowe. ' … It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years. I am saddened and ashamed that many of the refugees who are being denied entrance to the United States are brave people who worked alongside our military in Iraq and Afghanistan and now face danger at home because of their service to our country. 'I also grieve,' Rowe added, 'that victims of religious persecution, including Christians, have not been granted refuge in recent months.' South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has compared the Expropriation Act to the practice of eminent domain in America. But the Trump administration is standing by their criticisms. 'Afrikaners fleeing persecution are welcome in the United States,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X Monday. 'The South African government has treated these people terribly — threatening to steal their private land and subjected them to vile racial discrimination. The Trump Administration is proud to offer them refuge in our great country.' Trump adviser Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and lived there for the first 18 years of his life, has repeatedly criticized the government in recent months, stating on March 4 that 'what's happening in South Africa is deeply wrong. Not what [late former President Nelson] Mandela intended at all.' Originally published as Dozens of Afrikaners land in US after Donald Trump offers refuge from South African 'genocide'
New York Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Dozens of Afrikaners land in US after Trump offers refuge from ‘genocide'
President Trump accused South Africa Monday of engaging in 'genocide' against its white minority as the first planeload of Afrikaners granted refugee status touched down in the US. 'It is a genocide that is taking place that you people don't want to write about,' Trump told reporters at the White House before signing an executive order meant to reduce drug prices. 'It's a terrible thing that's taking place and farmers are being killed,' he added. 'They happen to be white, but whether they are white or black makes no difference to me.' Trump signed an executive order Feb. 7 freezing aid to South Africa in response to a law passed last year allowing the majority black government to 'seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation,' in the words of the White House. Exactly a month later, the president announced that 'any farmer' fleeing South Africa can come to America and receive a 'rapid pathway' to citizenship. On Monday, 49 Afrikaners, descendants of primarily Dutch settlers who arrived at the southern tip of Africa in the mid-1600s, landed at Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. 3 President Trump called the situation in South Africa a 'genocide.' AP 3 The first group of Africakeners given refugee status arrived in the US. AFP via Getty Images The US gave South Africa more than $320 million in fiscal year 2024, mostly for health and humanitarian aid. The Expropriation Act of 2024 was enacted following a 2017 study that found white South Africans controlled about 75% of individually-owned farms more than two decades after the end of apartheid — despite making up just 7% of South Africa's population. 'It is most regrettable that it appears that the resettlement of South Africans to the United States under the guise of being 'refugees' is entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africa's constitutional democracy,' foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said in a statement. 3 Afrikaners have cried foul over the controversial Expropriation Act in South Africa. REUTERS South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has compared the Expropriation Act to the practice of eminent domain in America. But the Trump administration is standing by their criticisms. 'Afrikaners fleeing persecution are welcome in the United States,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X Monday. 'The South African government has treated these people terribly — threatening to steal their private land and subjected them to vile racial discrimination. The Trump Administration is proud to offer them refuge in our great country.' Trump adviser Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and lived there for the first 18 years of his life, has repeatedly criticized the government in recent months, stating on March 4 that 'what's happening in South Africa is deeply wrong. Not what [late former President Nelson] Mandela intended at all.'
eNCA
12-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
49 Afrikaners headed to US can't simply return for a 'braai' and back
The first group of 49 Afrikaner 'refugees ' leaving South Africa for the US. JOHANNESBURG - Department of International Relations (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri says it will not be easy for the 49 Afrikaners who left South Africa for the United States. Whilst in the US, should anything arise, they will not have easy access to any diplomatic assistance from South Africa. Their attempt to reach out or return to South Africa would be against international law and refugee laws, as one cannot simply return to a country where they claim persecution. 'They simply can't return home for a braai and go back,' says Phiri. "Even the word itself refugee suggests that you are seeking refuge from a particular country. "You cant be seeking refuge then go back home have a braai then go back to x country you are safer. It defeats the purpose of you being protected and under refuge of a particular country," he said. To return, they would have to revoke their refugee status, which in itself would be a monumental task. In February, after his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump accused the South African government of genocide. He has also accused the government of dispossessing Afrikaner farmers of their land through the Expropriation Act. DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola has argued that the group of Afrikaners who have left do not qualify for refugee status. He says the country's crime statistics do not support the argument that white farmers are being persecuted.
Eyewitness News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Afrikaners relocating to US could lose their refugee status should they decide to return to SA
JOHANNESBURG - Nearly 50 Afrikaners headed to the United States (US) as refugees stand to lose their status should they decide to return to South Africa. The Department of International Relations said a group of 49 white Afrikaaners en route to America under a controversial resettlement programme could jeopardise their refugee protections if they try to come back. ALSO READ: SA transport officials detail flight plan for aircraft carrying 49 Afrikaners relocating to US The group is travelling under US President Donald Trump's executive order, which gives special entry to white South Africans claiming persecution, despite widespread rejection of the claim by the South African government. Their flight is set to land at Dulles Airport outside Washington, DC. What happens after that, including where they'll live and what support they receive, is entirely up to the US government. Their refugee applications, like all others, are handled confidentially, and South African officials said they've had no hand in the process. But the legal implications back home are significant. Diplomatic protections fall away, and while section 20 of the Constitution guarantees that 'no citizen may be deprived of citizenship,' returning under false claims could lead to court challenges over fraud or misrepresentation. Department of International Relations spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said refugee status isn't a revolving door. 'You really can't have your cake and eat it. You cannot go to the US on migration and economic interest and suddenly decide, 'I miss South African weather in December, I would like to have a braai with my friends in Pretoria,' and come back. No, it does not work like that. That is something you have to forgo.' For now, the first cohort of those fleeing what the government calls a false narrative of persecution is on its way, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks.
