Latest news with #incontroZA

IOL News

‘She just wanted a free trip' : SA woman slammed for refugee claim to join US husband

Jackie Botha's from Gqeberha, who flew to the US is being labelled as opportunistic after she allegedly went to the country to meet with her husband. Image: X/@incontroZA Jacqueline 'Jackie' Botha, an Afrikaner woman from Gerberha, in the Eastern Cape is under fire after reports surfaced that she allegedly exploited the US refugee resettlement program to reunite with her husband, who is already living in the United States. Botha is among a group of 49 white South Africans who recently arrived in the US, claiming racial persecution in their home country. However, social media users have questioned the legitimacy of these claims, calling her move opportunistic. According to the local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Botha left her home in Rowallan Park, an affluent and family-oriented suburb in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth. The neighborhood is described as quiet and leafy, and her residence reportedly had CCTV surveillance. Reports indicate that the 52-year-old left South Africa with her three children. A former employee of Botha told the news channel that her husband has been living abroad for the past two to three years. The South African government has strongly denied allegations that White Afrikaners are facing persecution, countering the narrative presented by some of those seeking asylum. While crime remains a major issue in many parts of Gqeberha, particularly in township areas known for gang violence, hijackings and other violent crimes, Rowallan Park is reportedly not known to be affected by these crimes. It is not known what form of persecution Botha or others in the group claim to have experienced, including her professional background before she flew to the US. On social media, public reaction has been mixed, with some users ridiculing Botha's alleged motivations. 'She wanted a lift to be rejoined with her husband,' wrote user @Vugo_Mhaga. 'Rowallan Park. A suburb. Little crime. Definitely no persecution. She just wanted to check up on her husband who stopped answering her calls,' tweeted @Raul_AJ_1990. 'She just wanted to find a way to go join her husband in America and this opportunity opened up,' added @AmuFloyd. Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington, D.C, this week for an official visit. He is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to address strained relations between the two countries. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕