The Cabinet says the decision to award refugee status to a group of South Africans is misunderstood because it does not meet the definition of refugee as set forth in the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol.
Earlier this week, a group of 49 Africans left South Africa, claiming they were victims of “genocide” and sought refugee status.
“The Cabinet also reiterates that allegations of discrimination are unfounded and fails to meet the required persecution thresholds under domestic and international refugee laws.
Furthermore, South Africa’s police services statistics on farm-related crimes do not support allegations of violent crime or genocide that are generally targeted at farmers or racial groups,” President Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said in a post-cabinet briefing on Thursday.
The Cabinet also remains open to constructive engagement to rebuttal the narratives of the United States government and to share a better common understanding of these issues.
Reading South Africans seeking resettlement in the US is not a refugee – President Ramaphosa
Work visit to Ivory Coast
The Cabinet, coinciding with the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum on May 12th and 13th, 2025, welcomed the President’s work visit to Ivory Coast to integrate existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
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President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with Aracen Oattala, president of the Republic of Côte de Ivoire, to discuss the issue of mutual interest, both pledged to strengthen bilateral relations and increase trade between the two countries.
SANDF withdrew at DRC
Minister Ntshavheni told the briefing that the Cabinet has been updated on the gradual withdrawal of the South African Defence Forces (SANDF) from the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the end of the South African Development Community Mission mandate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).
She said the decision followed extensive diplomatic engagements and AU/SADC/EAC initiatives to encourage negotiated settlements between the Congo.
“The Cabinet praises the commitment shown by SANDF members who served as their honor, pride and commitment to promoting the AU agenda of silence guns under extremely difficult circumstances,” the minister said.
