49 Afrikaner refugees were threatened with 'egregious' violence in South Africa, claims Landau
Upon landing at Washington's Dulles airport, the group, comprising several children were handed American flags and greeted by officials in a hangar where a press conference was held.
The first group of Afrikaners classified as refugees by Trump, leaving for the US from OR Tambo Int Airport. Please: Simphiwe Nkosi/Eyewiness News
CAPE TOWN - The United States of America's deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau said that the 49 Afrikaner refugees they accepted into the country on Monday have shared harrowing stories of the violence they have faced in South Africa.
Upon landing at Washington's Dulles airport, the group, comprising several children, was handed American flags and greeted by officials in a hangar where a press conference was held.
While none of them spoke to the media, Landau, accompanied by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar, explained why the US had made the exception to accept them as refugees, when the Trump administration had halted refugee programmes for all other nationalities.
Landau claimed the group had faced what he termed "egregious" and "targeted" threats of violence against them in South Africa.
"A fair number of these refugees were farmers who farmed this land for generations, and now face the threat not only of expropriation but also of direct violence. We had the chance to speak to them. Many of these folk had the experience of threatening invasions of their homes and farms and a real lack of interest or success of the government of doing anything about this situation," said Landau.
Landau cited the singing of the struggle song - "Kill the boer" as proof of the persecution that Afrikaner South Africans are facing.
He said the group had been vetted before their arrival in the US to ensure they would be able to assimilate into American society.
"It is not surprising that a country from which refugees come, does not concede that they are refugees. And, unfortunately, the South African government has not done what we feel is appropriate to guarantee the rights of these citizens to live in peace with their fellow South Africans, which is why under our domestic law, they were given refugee status," said Landau.
The secretaries did not share details about where the group would be settled, but it's understood that their final US destination would be the State of Texas.