Politics

Angry South Africa rejects Dutton’s calls to help ‘persecuted’ farmers

Mar 16, 2018

Peter Dutton called on Australia to help "persecuted" farmers. Source: Getty.

South Africa has hit back in a furious statement after Peter Dutton called for Australia to welcome more “persecuted” white farmers into the country.

Speaking on the Miranda Devine podcast just hours ago, the immigration minister revealed his hopes to fast-track visas for the ‘hard-working’ farmers, whether that be with refugee, humanitarian or other visas, amid apparent land seizures and violence.

“If you see the footage and read the stories, it’s a horrific circumstance that they face, and Australia has a refugee and humanitarian program as well as a number of other visa programs where we have the potential to help some of these people that are being persecuted,” he told Devine.

Now, the South African foreign ministry has denied there is a “threat” in a blistering statement on its website – and demanded an apology from Dutton.

“There is no reason for any Government anywhere in the world to suspect that any South African is in danger from their own democratically elected Government. That threat simply does not exist,” it said.

“We regret that the Australian government chose not to use the available diplomatic channels available for them to raise concerns or to seek clarification.” It added: “The South African Government has been very clear and transparent on a land reform process and the matter is now before Parliament.”

According to Reuters, the country has since demanded a full apology, and branded the comments “offensive”. The foreign ministry reportedly said in a new statement: “The South African Government is offended by the statements which have been attributed to the Australian Home Affairs Minister and a full retraction is expected.”

It comes after Dutton told Devine he has called on his department to look for ways they could offer “assistance”.

“People need help, and they need help from a civilised country like ours,” he said. “More importantly than that, they want to work hard, they want to contribute to a country like Australia… We want people that come here and abide by our laws, integrate into our society, work hard, not lead a life on welfare, and I think these people deserve special attention.”

Campaign group AfriForum has since praised Dutton’s comments, and said any outside pressure on the government to take action is welcomed. However, it has made clear it is not in favour of mass emigration.

Deputy CEO Alana Bailey said it’s clear Australia takes seriously the “issues such as the high occurrence of farm attacks, crime statistics and the government’s steps to make expropriation without compensation possible”.

She added: “He [Dutton] also seemingly admits that the concern of white South Africans is just as valid as that of any other citizen, while the South African authorities are only too glad to hold the community as scapegoats for problems in the country and treat them as second class citizens.”