DIRCO raises concerns with Eswatini over ‘dangerous’ US deportees
The
Department of International Relations and Cooperation has raised concern over a
deal between the US and Eswatini, that would see SA’s landlocked neighbour take
in dangerous deportees from America.
DIRCO says Eswatini government official Thabile Mdluli has confirmed the recent arrival of a group of criminals in the Kingdom.
Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri says according to US Homeland Security, the group includes serious offenders of various nationalities.
He says American and Eswatini officials are working with UN agencies, the International Organisation for Migration to send deported inmates back to their home countries.
But Phiri says it's unlikely those countries will take them back.
"Whilst respecting the sovereign decision of the government of Eswatini, the government 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."
Last month, Eswatini announced that it had agreed with the US to house five most dangerous criminals in its prisons, with the possibility of more than 150 terrorists to follow.
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