<\/p>\n
The African National Congress (ANC) has issued a strong statement condemning the United States government\u2019s recent decision to grant refugee status to 49 individuals self-identifying as Afrikaners. <\/span><\/p>\n The party categorically rejects the notion that Afrikaner refugees are fleeing South Africa, emphasising that such claims are baseless and serve to undermine the country\u2019s democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n In a statement released on Tuesday by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, ANC National Spokesperson, the party declared that there are no Afrikaner refugees in South Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo section of our society is hounded, persecuted, or subject to ethnic victimisation. These claims are a fabrication and a cowardly political construct designed to delegitimise our democracy and insult the sacrifices made by generations who fought for freedom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The ANC\u2019s stance comes amid ongoing debates surrounding US immigration policies and the rise of misinformation campaigns. <\/span><\/p>\n The party said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a foundational document in South Africa\u2019s struggle for democracy, which affirms that \u201cSouth Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The ANC reaffirmed that this principle is enshrined in the Constitution, which guarantees equality, dignity, and non-racialism.<\/span><\/p>\n Bhengu-Motsiri further criticised what she describes as attempts by certain foreign actors to exploit refugee protections to shield right-wing, anti-transformation elements. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe instigators of this falsehood seek not safety, but impunity from transformation.<\/span> They flee not from persecution, but from justice, equality, and accountability for historic privilege,\u201d Bhengu-Motsiri stated.<\/span><\/p>\n The US government\u2019s decision to recognise certain individuals as refugees has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it misrepresents the realities faced by South Africans.<\/span><\/p>\n Some US lawmakers have proposed sanctions against ANC leaders, alleging they are undermining democratic processes. <\/span><\/p>\n Adding to the complexity, reports suggest that influential figures, including Elon Musk\u2014who has been a significant financial backer of former President Donald Trump\u2014have played a role in spreading misinformation about South Africa. <\/span><\/p>\n Musk, who recently failed to have Starlink satellite services operational in South Africa, has reportedly amplified narratives suggesting widespread violence and genocide, which are not supported by credible data. <\/span><\/p>\n The ANC called on all South Africans and the international community to stand united in defending the truth, constitutionalism, and national sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOurs is not a broken or failing state,\u201d the party asserted, \u201cbut a people\u2019s democracy progressing against the tides of distortion and divisive narratives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n ANC emphasised the importance of safeguarding its democratic institutions and resisting efforts to distort its history or undermine its sovereignty. The party reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of equality and justice, standing firm against any attempts to divide the nation along racial or political lines.<\/span><\/p>\n thabo.makwakwa@inl.co,za<\/span><\/p>\n Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The African National Congress (ANC) has issued a strong statement condemning the United States government\u2019s recent decision to grant refugee status to 49 individuals self-identifying as Afrikaners. The party categorically rejects the notion that Afrikaner refugees are fleeing South Africa, emphasising that such claims are baseless and serve to undermine the country\u2019s democracy. In a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[17624,2475,18425,961,118,4365,17628,2830],"class_list":["post-240181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-afrikaners","tag-anc","tag-baseless","tag-calls","tag-claims","tag-condemns","tag-refugee","tag-status"],"yoast_head":"\nUS Policy and Misinformation Campaigns<\/span><\/h2>\n
A Call for Unity and Truth<\/span><\/h2>\n