Government has affirmed that US President Donald Trump’s decision to grant a group of white South Africans refugee status in the United States of America is misinformed and unfounded.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni relayed government’s position while briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held yesterday. She used the opportunity to reiterate government’s stance, after 49 white south africans boarded a plane to the US on Sunday, in search of so-called greener pastures.
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The afrikaners claim they have been persecuted in their home country — another claim government sought to defend and debunk.
“The decision by the United States to confer refugee status to a group of afrikaner south africans is misinformed, as they do not fit the definition of refugees as cited in the 1951 refugee convention and its 1967 protocol,” said Ntshavheni.
‘ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION ARE UNFOUNDED’
“Cabinet further reiterated that allegations of discrimination are unfounded and do not meet the threshold of persecution required under both the domestic and international refugee law. Moreover, the South African Police Services statistics on farm-related crimes do not support allegations on violent crime or genocide targeted at farmers generally or any racial grouping. Cabinet refuses the narrative by the government of the United States of America and remains open to constructive engagement,” Ntshaveni added.
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