Latest news with #Dirco
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Dirco confirms death of SA citizen in West Virginia, US
South Africa's embassy in Washington is providing full consular assistance to the family Government has confirmed that a South African citizen has died in the United States (US). International Relations Department (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the individual passed away in West Virginia. 'The government of the Republic of South Africa confirms with deep sadness the tragic passing of a South African citizen in West Virginia, United States of America. 'The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, has extended condolences to the bereaved family during this profoundly difficult time,' Phiri said. Consular assistance Phiri added that South Africa's embassy in Washington, D.C., is providing full consular assistance to the family. 'The circumstances surrounding this tragic death remain under active investigation by the relevant United States authorities. 'Out of respect for the ongoing investigative process, the sensitivity of the matter, and the privacy of the grieving family, the South African Government will not be providing further detailed commentary at this time,' Phiri said. ALSO READ: KZN man working in US arrested for allegedly distributing child porn Murder According to Women for Change, the person has been identified as 32-year-old Kim White Towne. Towne was allegedly murdered by her husband, Alexander Towne, in their home in Chantilly, Virginia, United States, on 24 May 2025. In 2023, Towne, originally from Cape Town, moved to the United States with Alexander, a US citizen and military veteran. Argument On 24 May 2025, just two hours before her death, Towne reportedly called a family member, expressing fear and distress over her violent marriage. The family member urged her to contact the police. It is alleged that the argument between Kim and Alexander escalated, and he fatally strangled her. After the alleged brutal murder, the husband reportedly called the police and confessed to assaulting and killing his wife. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Towne's lifeless body. Arrest Alexander was arrested, charged with second-degree murder, and is currently being held without bail. It is reported that their three-year-old child was inside the home when the incident occurred. In 2024, Towne had reportedly obtained a protection order against her husband, which led to his removal from their home. She stayed with a family member for some time, but a few months later, the couple reconciled. ALSO READ: Afrikaners who accepted Trump's refugee offer 'know there's no persecution in SA' – expert
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
23 South Africans return home after months held captive in Myanmar scam operation
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said, 'Human trafficking is real, and it can happen to anyone. Awareness and vigilance are our best defence.' After more than four harrowing months in captivity, 23 South Africans have safely returned home following a rescue mission from Myanmar, where they were victims of a human trafficking operation disguised as a job opportunity. The group was lured to Southeast Asia with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand. However, upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were smuggled across the border into Myanmar. There, they were forced to work under brutal conditions in a cybercrime syndicate, where they were made to scam people online and were subjected to physical and psychological abuse. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), working closely with the Border Management Authority and international partners, played a critical role in securing their release and bringing them back to South Africa. The group landed safely on home soil over the weekend and is now receiving support and debriefing as part of their reintegration process. 'These individuals endured unimaginable hardship,' said Clayson Monyela, DIRCO spokesperson. 'They were victims of human trafficking, held against their will, and exploited. We are relieved they are back home safely, and we commend the efforts of everyone who helped make this repatriation possible.' The victims, most of them young adults, were among thousands of people across the globe who have been caught up in sophisticated trafficking networks operating across Southeast Asia. These criminal operations often advertise fake job opportunities online, typically in IT or customer service, and target vulnerable individuals seeking work abroad.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
SA calls for probe after Israel kills Palestinians waiting for food
Israeli tanks opened fire on thousands of civilians gathered at a distribution site in southern Gaza's Rafah on Sunday morning. South Africa has joined the global call for an immediate, impartial international investigation after Israel killed at least 32 Palestinians waiting to get food at two aid distribution sites in Gaza. The attack left more than 200 others injured. Attack Israeli tanks opened fire on thousands of civilians gathered at a distribution site in southern Gaza's Rafah on Sunday morning, Gaza's Government Media Office said in a statement on Telegram. A short while later, another person was killed in a shooting at a similar distribution point south of the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza City. South Africa's International Relations Department (Dirco) said it is 'gravely alarmed' by the attack on the Palestinians. 'This atrocity is a stark reminder of the catastrophic and dire conditions under bombardment and siege in Gaza, where access to food and essential aid remains perilous and has become a matter of life and death. 'South Africa joins the global call for an immediate, impartial international investigation and reiterates that Israel, as the occupying power, bears legal responsibility under international humanitarian law for the protection of civilians and to ensure safe access to aid,' Dirco said. ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ Geneva convention Dirco said the 'targeting, killing and injuring of vulnerable civilians are in grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and incompatible with the principles of international humanitarian law and, accordingly, demand urgent scrutiny.' 'This tragedy has further intensified scrutiny of the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' (GHF) and South Africa further joins calls against the GHF, a private initiative that entrusts the distribution of aid to military personnel rather than impartial humanitarian actors. 'This scheme is fundamentally at odds with the core principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which mandate that humanitarian relief operations must observe the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence,' Dirco said. ALSO READ: SA condemns Israel's bombing of hospitals in Gaza ICJ case Dirco has also reminded Israel about the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) crime of genocide against Israel and the three rounds of binding provisional measures the UN's top court has issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government's 'irreparable harm to the Palestinian population.' 'These have included specific instructions for the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid, all of which have been flagrantly defied by Israeli authorities,' Dirco said. 'South Africa calls on all states, institutions and civil society across the globe to demand immediate, unconditional and sustained humanitarian access to Gaza; reinforce the mandate and funding of UNRWA and other neutral aid organisations; 'Hold Israel legally accountable for its violations of international law, including through the ICJ, ICC, and domestic jurisdictions exercising universal jurisdiction; and take concrete steps to end the blockade, protect civilians and restore the rule of international law in Gaza,' Dirco said. UN Special Rapporteur The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, stated, 'All camouflaged behind the language of aid, to divert international attention from legal accountability, in Israel's attempt to dismantle the very principles upon which humanitarian law was built.' 'South Africa aligns itself with the comments above of the UN Special Rapporteur. What transpired in Gaza today is not a tragic anomaly – it is a direct consequence of the ongoing bombardment, siege, occupation and collective punishment of Gaza's people. 'We further concur with the UN Special Rapporteur that 'Accountability can no longer be deferred. The UN and States need urgently to establish an independent protection mechanism that Israel shall not stop – it has no sovereignty over the occupied territory, and it is about time States implement it,' Dirco said. 'Cycle of violence Dirco has called on the international community to 'amplify calls on ending the cycle of violence and the dehumanisation of a population.' 'The time for moral and legal clarity is now, Dirco said, adding that the international community 'must act decisively to prevent further loss of life and uphold the protections due to civilians under the Geneva Conventions and international law'. WATCH: ICJ rules Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories 'violates international law'
Daily Maverick
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Ramaphosa in resolve-and-reset mode on SA-US ties despite Trump's white Afrikaner genocide claims
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa was upbeat about his meeting with US President Donald Trump, despite it being derailed by Trump's claims of genocide against white Afrikaners in South Africa. When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emerged from the White House after a three-hour working visit with US President Donald Trump, his tone was calm, even warm. 'It went very well,' Ramaphosa told reporters when asked how the meeting concluded. 'Yes … It went very well,' he repeated, when asked if Trump had heard him. It was a diplomatic answer to what many viewed as an ambush in the Oval Office – broadcast live to the world – over one of the thorniest narratives in US-South Africa relations: Trump's assertion that there is a 'genocide of white farmers' occurring in South Africa. Despite Ramaphosa's direct engagement on the issue – including bringing two of Trump's favourite South African golf icons, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen – Trump would not budge. The president said bluntly that he is not backing down, as the world should hear what is happening. Asking for the lights to be dimmed, Trump displayed a video showing Julius Malema singing 'Kill the Boer' and a memorial to slain white farmers. Ramaphosa, resolute yet respectful, disagreed. Rather than escalate, he stayed engaged, reflecting what he had earlier in the week described as his 'rational' approach to diplomacy. He called on his agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, and billionaire Johann Rupert to explain, but Trump did not appear convinced. Diplomatic reset, rough edges Framed by South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) as a 'reset' in the two countries' relationship, the visit was a high-level attempt to move past previous misunderstandings and find common ground. And in some ways, it succeeded. For Ramaphosa, the objective was clear: preserve strategic partnerships, de-escalate political narratives, and advocate continued US support in areas of trade, security cooperation and global diplomacy. For Trump, the goals were more personal and political: reaffirm his administration's position on global threats, reassert US leverage in trade relations and publicly underscore his own foreign policy instincts. That is why the meeting mattered beyond optics. It was a live display of geopolitical friction, nation-state interests as well as cooperation in real time. America's executive stage The bilateral meeting in the Oval Office — the symbolic epicentre of American executive power — was live-streamed globally, giving millions the chance to observe foreign policy being made in real time. This format is rare. Historically, most bilateral discussions at this level happen behind closed doors, with filtered readouts to the press. But Trump, now in his second term, has made transparency a hallmark of his executive style – even when it invites confrontation. The result: Ramaphosa had to defend South Africa's democracy and human rights record not just to a counterpart, but to a global audience. Ramaphosa's decision to bring Ernie Els and Retief Goosen was a calculated move to soften the tone and meet Trump in a cultural comfort zone. It was also deeply symbolic. Golf, often dismissed as 'soft diplomacy', has long served as a relationship tool in US political circles, particularly in Republican administrations. Still, Trump's genocide claim remained a sticking point. Ramaphosa's effort to counter this narrative in person was respectful and data driven, according to sources familiar with the conversation. 'He didn't yell. He didn't grandstand,' said a senior South African official. 'He corrected, clarified and moved forward.' And forward they went — straight to lunch. Three-course statecraft The Bilateral Working Lunch, held in the Cabinet Room and closed to the press, offered a different environment. Over a three-course meal, both delegations had the opportunity to shift tone, explore areas of alignment and build rapport. At a press conference later at the Ritz-Carlton, President Ramaphosa smiled when asked about the lunch menu. 'It was a three-course meal,' he said. He explained that he usually does not eat dessert, but it looked good. He had some; the lunch was 'delicious'. This moment – small but telling – captured a recurring theme of the visit: the balance of serious policy and human diplomacy. Common ground: The DRC Not all was disagreement. Both sides hailed progress in brokering a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with South Africa playing a stabilising role and the US offering diplomatic pressure. 'This is a clear example of what responsible regional leadership looks like,' Trump acknowledged, praising South Africa's role. Ramaphosa, in turn, thanked the US for 'being firm but fair' and for 'backing African-led solutions'. This area of cooperation showed that despite disagreements on domestic issues, the two countries can find alignment on continental security, counter-terrorism and regional peacebuilding. Ramaphosa pressed for renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), set to expire soon. Trump did not make a commitment, but South African officials left 'optimistic'. The language of reciprocity versus partnership may be where future possibilities lie — and where the next South Africa-US conversation must dig deeper. Two presidents, two rationalities In international relations theory, states are often described as 'rational actors', meaning they make decisions based on their own national interest. But rationality is not always uniform — it depends on goals, history and world-view. Trump's rationality is transactional, built on a 'show strength and never retreat' doctrine. Ramaphosa's rationality is procedural, focused on long-term stability, alliance-building and respectful dialogue. The meeting showed what happens when these two logics meet: tension, yes, but also opportunities for clarity. In the end, President Ramaphosa left the White House pleased that 're-engagement' is beginning, even if he didn't persuade Trump on every point. His calm posture, cultural savvy and commitment to engagement showed a clear effort to elevate South Africa's global profile without sacrificing its values. 'Very well,' he said again as he departed the White House North Portico, in a delegation with his golfing envoys. 'Yes, he [Trump] did hear me.' The US-South Africa relationship is not built on total agreement. But after today, it could be built more on mutual recognition of differences, of truths and of the need to keep talking. By the time President Ramaphosa exited the White House through the North Portico at 2.58pm in Washington, the skies had cleared – a fitting image for a meeting marked by stormy differences, but also by efforts to reset and re-engage. DM
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'Afrikaans refugees' are still South African citizens: immigration lawyer
The 49 South African refugees who left the country for the US cannot be deprived of their South African citizenship, an immigration lawyer says. As the group arrived in the US on Monday, an immigration lawyer, Chris Watters, said they could not have it both ways, meaning they could not use the South African embassy's services while in the US. 'By definition, they are fleeing because they cannot get protection from the South African government (or the government refuses to give them protection) in respect of the serious harm they face in South Africa.' 'They cannot have it both ways,' he said, adding that leaving the country also meant that they could not travel on their South African passports as that would be invoking the protection of the South African government, should they need consular assistance. Watters said, realistically, there was no way of knowing what arguments and/or evidence each of the applicants had put to the US authorities to justify claims that they had 'fled' the country because they feared persecution and serious harm in South Africa on account of their race, ethnicity, or political opinion if they had to return. Watters said the UN Refugee Convention stipulates that the refugee determination process has to be strictly confidential. 'These claims are both forward-looking and backward-looking. So, the case for each would be made out on the basis of what they claim has happened to them, their family or friends in the past in South Africa,' he said. He said the recent Constitutional Court ruling on dual citizenship confirms that no South African may be deprived of their citizenship. He added that any of the group may return to South Africa at any stage, which would mean, though, that they would be abandoning their refugee status. He added that at a certain point, they might qualify to naturalise as US citizens. 'If/once the parents naturalise, the children automatically become US citizens,' he said. On Tuesday, international relations and co-operation (Dirco) minister Ronald Lamola said that in line with the international definition, the group did not qualify for refugee status as there was no persecution of white Afrikaners. Lawyers for Human Rights declined to comment on the status of the group. 'Any questions about Afrikaners going to the US as refugees should be put to the US embassy itself, because the US definition of a refugee has deviated from the internationally established legal definition and applicable legal framework,' the organisation said.
