South Africa concerned over neighbor hosting US deportees

Pretoria says the migrants’ profile poses a security risk, given the country’s proximity to Eswatini

The South African government has voiced “deep concern” over the recent transfer of convicted criminals deported from the United States to neighboring Eswatini.

“South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on South Africa’s national security and immigration policy, given the geographical proximity between the two sisterly countries,” said Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola.

Phiri said South Africa has raised concerns with the Kingdom of Eswatini following confirmation by the acting spokesperson of the government, Thabile Mdluli, that the group of dangerous criminals of various nationalities landed in Eswatini.

The convicted criminals were transported from the United States of America on a special flight, with the potential of more criminals of similar profiles scheduled to follow. Their arrival was also followed by an announcement from the United States’ Department of Homeland Security indicating that this group of individuals from several countries, and some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes, have been deported to Eswatini.

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“Dirco, on behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa, noted the aforementioned statement wherein Eswatini and the USA indicated that they would collaborate with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the transit of these inmates to their countries of origin,” said Phiri.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) also noted that the countries of origin of these deportees are unlikely to receive them. “Whilst respecting the sovereign decision of the government of Eswatini, the government of the Republic of South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on South Africa’s national security and immigration policy, given the geographical proximity between the two sisterly countries,” said Phiri.

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Last week, IOL reported that seasoned Eswatini human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi has launched a High Court bid to gain access to five “dangerous” convicted criminals deported to the African nation from the United States. Nhlabatsi is challenging the prison authorities’ refusal to allow him to meet and consult with the detained men. According to media reports, the deported men intend to challenge their presence in Eswatini.

IOL previously reported that the deportation of the five hardened criminals, a decision by US President Donald Trump’s administration, reportedly took Eswatini citizens and activists by surprise and shock.

Speaking to IOL on Friday, Nhlabatsi said his commentary is limited because the matter is before the courts. “However, the core of my application is to ask the court to grant me an order to access the deportees. I have been given specific instructions by three US-based attorneys who were representing them back home, and the purpose of my visit is simply to fulfill those instructions,” said Nhlabatsi.

“Last Friday, the prison authorities denied me access, citing that they were still working on facilities or gadgets that would allow the deportees to call home.” Nhlabatsi argued that the actions of the Eswatini authorities were unlawful. “In my view, this is unlawful because it denies them legal access and representation which is constitutionally guaranteed,” he said.

IOL reported last week that the move has also sparked outrage in the small landlocked nation, and fears abound that the criminals may end up in South Africa.

READ MORE: US pressuring Africa to accept deportees – Nigerian official

The Trump administration announced over a week ago that it would be sending the men who are illegal immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba convicted of child rape, murder, burglary, and being gang members and whose countries refuse to take them back.

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Speaking to IOL previously, Bheki Makhubu, editor of the monthly news magazine The Nation, said people of Eswatini feel betrayed. “Essentially, emaSwati feel they were betrayed by the leadership of Eswatini. This move came as a complete surprise and seems to have been arranged and known by only a select few people. This deal feels like an invasion of our country by the US. We feel our leaders have sold our country to Trump behind our backs,” he said.

“This country is nobody’s personal property and therefore we’re upset and most importantly, afraid. There’s a fear that if this is allowed to continue, and it looks like more prisoners are coming, one day we will wake up and find that we’ve been annexed by another country behind our backs.” Makhubu added that he understood that the dangerous criminals are set to spend only a year in Eswatini.

First published by IOL