South Africa Alarmed by Deportee Arrivals in Eswatini

Regional Security Concerns Grow Over Transnational Criminals

Pretoria is expressing grave concern following the arrival of dangerous international criminals in neighboring Eswatini, deported from the United States. The South African government fears potential repercussions for its own national security and immigration policies.

Deportees with Severe Criminal Histories

The U.S. government has sent five men, described as “barbaric” for their extensive criminal backgrounds including murder, child rape, aggravated assault, and robbery, to Eswatini. These deportations occurred after attempts to send the individuals back to their home countries of Laos, Cuba, Jamaica, Vietnam, and Yemen were unsuccessful.

Eswatini and U.S. Cooperation Acknowledged

Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, acknowledged a prior statement from Eswatini and the U.S. detailing their collaborative efforts with the International Organisation for Migration. This collaboration aims to facilitate the eventual transit of these inmates to their nations of origin.

“While respecting the sovereign decision of the government of Eswatini, the government of South Africa is deeply concerned about the profiles of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on our national security and immigration policy, given the geographical proximity between the two countries.”

—Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation

South Africa’s apprehension stems from the close proximity to Eswatini. The U.S. Department of State’s latest human rights report indicates that the U.S. deported over 28,000 individuals in 2023 who had committed various crimes abroad. This statistic underscores the ongoing challenge of managing international deportations.

Geopolitical Implications of Deportation Policy

The decision to deport individuals with such severe criminal records to a smaller nation like Eswatini raises questions about international responsibility and burden-sharing. South Africa’s Ministry stated its continued dialogue with Eswatini and other regional partners on these pressing security matters.