SA scrambles as 100 white Afrikaners plan secret flight to US

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South African officials are urgently seeking confirmation of the identities of approximately 100 white Afrikaners reportedly set to depart for the United States next week on a privately chartered flight.

This comes amid concerns that individuals with criminal histories or extremist affiliations could be using the operation to evade scrutiny.

The flight, which has not been publicly acknowledged by U.S. authorities, is believed to be linked to a resettlement initiative allegedly supported by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Expropriated

Trump has previously criticised South Africa’s land reform policies and claimed that white-owned farms were being unlawfully expropriated – accusations denied by the South African government.

Officials within South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that diplomatic discussions with US counterparts are ongoing.

They noted that the passenger list for the flight has not yet been shared with South African authorities, raising concerns about transparency and potential security risks.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that “ongoing diplomatic engagements” would continue over the weekend to ensure full clarity.

“There are no South African citizens that can be classified as refugees,” Magwenya said.

“South Africa has always welcomed refugees, not produced them.”

Deputy International Relations Minister Alvin Botes met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Friday, pressing for details about the vetting procedures used and the selection criteria for those reportedly being resettled.

The issue has emerged as a sensitive point in South Africa-US relations, already strained by previous claims from Trump and his supporters regarding alleged persecution of white South Africans.

Amplified concerns

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, has also amplified concerns about alleged violence against Afrikaners – a narrative the South African government has repeatedly rejected.

Approximately 7% of South Africa’s population identifies as white, with 11% of households speaking Afrikaans as their first language.

While the country continues to grapple with historic economic disparities, the government maintains that no land seizures have occurred since the end of apartheid.

Afrikaner rights organisation Solidarity has publicly distanced itself from the reported resettlement.

Spokesperson Flip Buys said the group had no involvement in the operation and had previously declined an offer from Trump’s administration to assist with emigration efforts.

With details of the charter flight still unclear, South African officials say they remain committed to ensuring any cross-border movements are conducted within legal and diplomatic frameworks.