US-bound 'refugees' were harassed: AfriForum condemns raid on Joburg facility processing Afrikaners
Lobby group AfriForum has condemned the law enforcement raid on a facility processing South Africans seeking refugee resettlement in the United States.
In a statement posted on social media, AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said he had confirmed with US officials that South African authorities raided a US refugee processing facility in Johannesburg during an operation on Reconciliation Day.
Kriel claimed that US staff involved in processing Afrikaner refugees were detained during the raid and that applicants who were present at the centre were subjected to “harassment and intimidation”, despite not having contravened any laws.
“I have just confirmed with US officials that the South African authorities did indeed raid a US refugee facility in Johannesburg yesterday (Tuesday), detaining US staff who have been processing Afrikaner refugees. The applicants who were present on the premises were subjected to harassment and intimidation, despite not having transgressed any law,” Kriel wrote on X.
“AfriForum condemns this behaviour by the South African authorities. This behaviour shows a disregard for the human rights of the applicants present. Such conduct is not unexpected from a government that still refuses to condemn human rights abuses by those calling for the killing of Afrikaners through the “Kill the Boer” chant.”
I have just confirmed with U.S. officials that the South African authorities did indeed raid a U.S. refugee facility in Johannesburg yesterday, detaining U.S. staff who have been processing Afrikaner refugees. The applicants who were present on the premises were subjected to…
— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) December 17, 2025
The government said the raid forms part of a broader Home Affairs operation in Johannesburg in which seven Kenyan nationals were arrested for allegedly working illegally while in possession of tourist visas at a centre processing applications for US-bound refugees.
Earlier, IOL reported that the United States has demanded answers from the South African government following the raid on a facility processing US-bound refugee applications in Joburg.
According to CNN, the US government is “seeking immediate clarification from the South African government” and expects “full cooperation and accountability,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott was quoted as saying.
“We’ll have more to say once all the facts are confirmed, but the Trump Administration will always stand up for US interests, US personnel, and the rule of law,” Pigott told CNN.
“Interfering in our refugee operations is unacceptable.”
According to a media statement issued on Wednesday, the Department of Home Affairs said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies after intelligence reports indicated that Kenyan nationals had recently entered the country on tourist visas and taken up employment at a centre processing applications for “refugees” to the United States.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News