The government is vigorously contesting a second attempt by a South African overseas to claim residence by citing fears of ”criminal, racial discrimination”.
Dianne Jefferson (22), who moved to Ireland to live with her father when she was 14, was turned down for a resident’s visa even though she was married to an Irishman. She appealed to the Dublin High Court for permission to stay in the country, stating in her affidavit: ”I say and believe that as a white South African there is a real possibility of criminal racial discrimination against me and I fear for my well-being and ultimately my life if I am returned.”
The judge granted her an injunction stopping immigration authorities from deporting her, and she has now been given a five-year residency visa.
But the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in Pretoria on Friday that the government rejects the reasons she gave.
”This is untrue and inaccurate to suggest that crime is racially motivated and that a particular section of the South African society is more likely to be exposed to crime than any other,” the department said. ”The South African government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide safety and security to all South Africans, black and white, and not only to a select section of its population.”
The department went on: ”The applicant’s unsubstantiated claims and suggestions are nothing but an attempt to tarnish the integrity of all South Africans, black and white, and to damage the country’s reputation.
”While South Africa faces many developmental challenges, insinuations that crime is racially based are inaccurate.”
In August, Brandon Huntley (31), a South African living in Canada, was granted refugee status after claiming he had been attacked because of his race. In his application, Huntley, who grew up in Mowbray in Cape Town, claimed that he was persecuted as a white man in South Africa. — I-Net Bridge