Civil engineer Matthew Gruter arrived in South Africa on Thursday after being deported from Australia for attending an anti-Jewish protest in Sydney that authorities described as extremist and contrary to Australian values.
Gruter landed at OR Tambo International Airport accompanied by his wife, Nathalie Faydherbe, and their one-month-old baby.
RELATED | Over R200 000 raised for South African neo-Nazi booted from Australia
He appeared visibly agitated when approached by journalists, initially shielding his face behind luggage before engaging in a heated confrontation with a photographer.
“Are you trying to get us attacked and murdered in South Africa? Is that what you are trying to do, trying to label us?” he said while accusing the media of placing his family at risk.
‘I just stood there’ – Gruter defends himself
Responding to questions about his deportation, Gruter insisted the decision was unfair.
“I got detained for six hours and had my visa cancelled by the minister himself… I just stood there over some nonsense. What do you think – do you think it’s fair?” he asked, adding that “murderers and rapists get to stay.”
Gruter was among a group of around 60 black-clad men, some wearing hats and sunglasses to obscure their faces, who demonstrated outside the New South Wales Parliament.
The group chanted Nazi-associated slogans and displayed a banner reading “Abolish the Jewish Lobby”, actions that drew widespread condemnation.
Australian government defends deportation
According to the Daily Mail, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed on 17 November that he had personally cancelled Gruter’s work visa, arguing that his conduct was incompatible with Australian values.
“If you’re on a visa, you’re a guest in Australia,” Burke said.
“If someone turns up for the purposes of just abusing people and wrecking the place and damaging the cohesion, you can ask them to leave.”
Burke added: “We’re setting the standard that multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing.”
Security concerns rising in Australia
Australian intelligence services have recently warned of an increase in individuals being drawn toward neo-Nazi ideology amid intensified recruitment efforts by extremist groups.
In 2023, Australia outlawed the Nazi salute and banned the display or trade of Nazi symbols, part of a broader push to curb extremist activities nationwide.
