US, South Africa Tensions Rise After Detention of American Officials

(MENAFN) Washington has accused South Africa of harassing and intimidating US personnel after two officials were briefly detained in Pretoria during duties connected to humanitarian assistance for the Afrikaner minority. The incident marks another escalation in already strained relations between the two nations.

The dispute stems from a South African police operation on Tuesday at a center processing refugee applications from Afrikaners claiming racial persecution. Authorities stated they arrested and deported seven Kenyan nationals who had entered the country on tourist visas and were working without permits. According to a media outlet, two US Citizenship and Immigration Services officers were also held temporarily before being released.

In a statement issued Thursday, the US State Department denounced the detention and the alleged disclosure of the officials’ passport details as “an unacceptable form of harassment.” It added: “This can only be seen as an attempt to intimidate US government personnel,” warning that failure to hold those responsible accountable could result in “severe consequences.”

The Department further emphasized: “The United States will not tolerate such behavior toward its government’s officials – or toward any of its citizens – who are legally and peacefully operating abroad.”

This episode underscores the growing diplomatic friction between Washington and Pretoria, with both sides standing firm on sovereignty and accountability.

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