By Zukile Majova
- Trump says Afrikaners are being persecuted and claims South Africa is ‘doing terrible things’.
- Ramaphosa’s office insists no South Africans qualify as refugees and warns criminals may use the route.
The first group of white South Africans fleeing to the United States is expected to land this week — after Donald Trump offered them refugee status.
At least 49 Afrikaners are on their way to the US after Trump claimed they are victims of racial persecution and land theft.
The former president has launched an investigation into South Africa after accusing the government of seizing land and treating Afrikaners badly.
The group will be the first to enter the US under a controversial refugee programme backed by Trump, who has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of “doing some terrible things, horrible things”.
In February, Trump said: “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.”
He later announced that no more US funding would go to South Africa until the situation is fully investigated.
The refugee move follows rising tensions between the two countries. In March, the US expelled South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool after he said Trump’s policies were based on white supremacist views.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said talks are ongoing to make sure no fugitives slip through.
“There are ongoing diplomatic engagements on this issue in particular, as well as other related key matters of bilateral and mutual interest.
“Our position is that there are no South African citizens that can be classified as refugees to any part of the world, including the US.
“On the contrary, South Africa has been and remains a home for refugees from all over the world,” Magwenya said.
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said Deputy Minister Alvin Botes met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on 9 May 2025.
They discussed reports that the US had started processing “alleged refugees” from South Africa for resettlement.
The New York Times said the group is expected to land at Dallas Airport in Virginia near Washington DC this week.
The refugee system for victims of conflict in Africa was recently closed — but Trump’s office has fast-tracked the Afrikaner group.
His deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, said: “This is race-based persecution. The refugee programme is not intended as a solution to global poverty and historically it has been used that way.”
Pictured above: Some Afrikaners keen to be refugees in America.
Image source: X
