South African officials are scrambling to confirm the identities of around 100 White Afrikaners expected to board a chartered flight to the United States next week amid fears that fugitives could be using the operation as a cloak for escape.
The quiet but controversial move is allegedly part of an initiative backed by US President Donald Trump's administration, which has previously accused South Africa's government of seizing White-owned land-claims strongly denied by Pretoria.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation DIRCO is urgently engaging with US authorities to ensure proper vetting has occurred. South African officials, who requested anonymity, confirmed they have not yet received the list of individuals scheduled for resettlement, as reported by Business Tech .
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said 'ongoing diplomatic engagements' were taking place and would continue over the weekend as concerns mount over whether the charter flight is part of a legitimate humanitarian effort-or a politicised intervention.
Deputy International Relations Minister Alvin Botes met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Friday to press for details on the passengers and the process used to screen them. Officials are particularly wary that individuals with outstanding warrants or links to extremist movements could slip through under the radar.