The South African Department of Transport has confirmed it is facilitating a chartered flight scheduled to depart on Sunday, carrying a group of Afrikaners seeking refugee status in the United States.
The move forms part of a contentious resettlement initiative reportedly backed by US President Donald Trump.
Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said the foreign-operated flight, had received a permit after an application detailing the nature, route, and purpose of the journey was submitted.
49 passengers
“We are simply just facilitating the permit for the Afrikaners to be transported to the US,” said Msibi.
He noted that 49 passengers are currently listed for departure, although this number may change pending the outcome of a vetting process.
Authorities involved in the screening include the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, and the South African Police Service.
“Anyone with a pending criminal case, for instance, will not be allowed to leave the country,” Msibi emphasised.
The resettlement plan has reignited political tensions, as it follows reports that the Trump administration is pushing for the expedited relocation of white South Africans, citing alleged racial persecution – a claim the South African government firmly denies.
Press conference
According to international media reports, the passengers are expected to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport, where they will participate in a press conference before relocating to various US states.
Some reportedly plan to settle in conservative-leaning areas such as Idaho and Alabama, while others are headed to Minnesota, a state known for accepting large numbers of refugees.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a strongly worded statement condemning the initiative.
“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,” DIRCO said.
The government has reiterated that recent land reform legislation – often cited by critics of the ANC-led administration – permits property expropriation without compensation only in the public interest and under strict legal guidelines.
Officials maintain that South Africa is not producing refugees, but rather, remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens within a constitutional framework.
The flight, and the debate surrounding it, has further strained diplomatic ties between Pretoria and Washington, highlighting the complexities of race, migration, and foreign policy in the post-apartheid era.
Do you know someone – or know someone who knows someone – on this flight?
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