Cape Town – Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has clarified that South Africa will not revoke the citizenship of Afrikaner farmers who accept a refugee resettlement offer from the United States.
According to The Citizen, he emphasised that refugee policy falls under the jurisdiction of the UNHCR and the receiving country, not the Department of Home Affairs.
“The department does not administer the policy on resettlement of refugees.
“This remains the responsibility of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the country where such refugees would wish to be resettled to,” the report quoted Schreiber as saying.
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These developments come amid escalating tensions between South Africa and the US.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting aid to South Africa, citing concerns over its foreign policy and legal actions against Israel.
Trump also imposed — then temporarily suspended — tariffs on South African imports and extended a refugee offer to Afrikaner farmers, some of whom declined.
The EFF labelled Trump a “maniac” and accused the US of emotional and misinformed policymaking. The party called for SA to strengthen ties with BRICS nations (China and Russia) to counter US interference.
EFF Statement On The Executive Order Signed By US President Donald Trump Cutting Foreign Aid To South Africa And Offering Re-Settlement In The USA For The Afrikaner Community.
In light of the aggression by the USA against South Africa, we must as a nation seriously consider… pic.twitter.com/1aLcGNmMes
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 8, 2025
“South Africa must revoke the citizenship of any individual who assumes refugee status in the USA on the basis of this Executive Order, as it would be a declaration of the belief that South Africa’s laws, which seek to promote equality and social cohesion are not in sync with such an individual’s values,” the EFF said.
“No one is being persecuted in South Africa, and to flee to the USA under this pretence should result in an immediate revoking of citizenship.
“No one who flees to the USA on the basis of misinformation and in support of an attack of our sovereignty should retain South African citizenship.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
