The South African government has defended the deportation of seven Kenyan nationals, insisting the action was lawful and non-negotiable, while dismissing allegations linking it to the compromise of private data belonging to United States officials.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the deportations were carried out by the Department of Home Affairs in strict compliance with South Africa’s immigration laws. The statement, signed by DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, said the affected Kenyans were found to be working in the country without valid work permits.
According to the government, the violation warranted their removal under existing immigration regulations, stressing that Pretoria would not compromise its sovereignty or the rule of law.
“The government will not negotiate its sovereignty and the implementation of the rule of law,” the ministry said, amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement across Southern Africa.
The deportations come as South Africa faces growing international attention over various domestic and foreign policy issues.
Separately, the government addressed claims circulating internationally that private information belonging to U.S. officials had been compromised, with suggestions of possible state involvement. South Africa categorically denied the allegations, describing them as unsubstantiated.
“South Africa treats all matters of data security with the utmost seriousness and operates under stringent legal and diplomatic protocols. We categorically reject any suggestion of state involvement in such actions,” the statement said.
While rejecting the claims, DIRCO said it had opted for diplomatic engagement rather than public confrontation. It confirmed that official channels had been opened with the United States to seek clarity on the allegations and to prevent any strain on bilateral relations.
The U.S. State Department told CNN that “interfering in our refugee operations is unacceptable” and said it was seeking immediate clarification. CNN also reported that two U.S. government employees were briefly detained during the raid, though South African authorities denied that any American officials were arrested.
The deported Kenyans were reportedly working at processing centres run by Amerikaners, a group led by white South Africans, and RSC Africa, a Kenya-based refugee support organisation operated by Church World Service. The organisations are linked to a programme associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump that has facilitated the relocation of a small number of white South Africans to the United States this year.
DIRCO said the involvement of foreign officials working alongside undocumented workers raised “serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol,” adding that formal engagements had been initiated with both the United States and Kenya.
