DIRCO starts diplomatic talks with US, Kenya after arrests related to US refugee programme

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has started diplomatic discussions with the United States (US) and Kenya following Tuesday’s arrests related to the US’s refugee programme for Afrikaners.

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said that he regards attempts by Kenyan citizens to enter the country illegally to process these applications on behalf of the US as an abuse of the visa system, and a breach of diplomatic protocol.

The Kenyan nationals were deported on Wednesday.

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Schreiber said the Reconciliation Day swoop on Kenyan nationals was no different to its other operations on those believed to be working in the country illegally.

He said the department acted on an intelligence it had received, but has not disclosed where the Kenyan nationals were apprehended.

While the UShas halted its refugee programme for all nations, it’s made an exception for white Afrikaners whom President Donald Trump repeatedly and falsely claims are being persecuted.

A previous attempt to apply for volunteer work visas for the Kenyan citizens, believed to be part of the church organisation that assists the US with its refugee programme, was denied.

They eventually entered South Africa on tourist visas.

“The presence of foreign officials apparently coordinating with undocumented workers naturally raises serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol. That’s why the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve this matter,” Schreiber explained.

Schreiber said that no US citizen or official was arrested in Tuesday’s operation and neither were any of the refugee applicants at the centre harassed.