South Africans who enter the refugee resettlement programme have been warned, again, not to lie in their applications. For those who do, they run the risk of immediate deportation.
This comes after one successful applicant – Thea van Straten – was accused of making up claims about being a victim of farm attacks.
Recently, Donald Trump prioritised granting 7500 predominantly Afrikaners refugee status in the country.
The controversial leader has shared his views about how he believes white people are being “killed” in a “genocide”. He also claims their land is being “stolen”.
REFUGEE APPLICANTS WARNED ABOUT LYING
In a YouTube clip, Chris Wyatt, a US intel expert with an interest in the refugee programme, responded to allegations that applicant Thea van Strated lied about being a victim of racial persecution.
He said, “If a refugee commits fraud, and I’m not aware of any being committed, then they can be sent back. That’s why your refugee status is provisional. It can be revoked at the end of the underlying conditions granted to you or if you commit fraud”.
To succeed in the refugee resettlement programme, applicants must prove how they are being “persecuted” or fear threats of persecution. This will be based on several factors, including race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group.
Earlier this year, the US Embassy warned South African visa applicants: “If you submit fake documents, you are committing fraud and risking your future. We stay one step ahead of document vendors and adapt to emerging threats.”
It added: “Protect your future travel opportunities – tell the truth and do not provide fake documents.”
‘NO FARM ATTACKS’
This week, Thea van Straten, one of the first Afrikaners who were granted refugee status in the US, was accused by her husband of lying about her claims of being a victim of four farm attacks.
Speaking in an interview with YouTuber Bianca van Wyk, Jan van Straten said, “There were no farm attacks. This is not true. There was no crime and no attacks in the area. This can be verified by the police.
Jon added that his wife, who had left with just clothes and their computer, had fled their guest farm in the Free State without telling him.
Images via YouTube screenshot
He spotted her on TV, a day after her departure.
He said: “I did not know she left for the United States until the Monday morning after.
“We were living happily together on the same farm, in the same house, looking after the guests and the animals and the farm business”.
While he admitted it was a “fishy” story, Chris Wyatt claimed that van Straten’s partner was “lying” as he had “stalked” her upon her exit.
