First Afrikaner 'refugees' leave for US
The
first group of white South Africans selected by Washington for resettlement in
the United States has flown out of Johannesburg.
Transport officials say the group of 49 Afrikaners departed on a private chartered flight on Sunday night from OR Tambo International Airport.
They were granted refugee status through an executive order by US President Donald Trump earlier this year.
He made the offer to white Afrikaners who he described as victims of racial discrimination.
The South African government rejected the claims calling them unfounded.
American officials are expected to welcome them when they arrive in Virginia on Monday.
Transport spokesperson, Collen Msibi has told Newzroom Afrika that all passengers were vetted.
"Part of the conditions of this permit that was approved is for all the passengers to be vetted. That falls outside our scope as the Department of Transport.
"It has to be done by the SAPS or the State Security Agency. But of course, we do not want to allow somebody who has got a criminal case pending to be leaving the country."
READ: AfriForum declines Trump’s refugee offer
Relations between Pretoria and Washington have been strained this year over a range of domestic and foreign policy issues.
Last week, the South African government voiced concerns at the news that the US had started "processing alleged refugees" describing the resettlement as politically motivated.
Government says though it won't stop people who want to leave from doing so.
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