By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

There are looming concerns over the arrival of high-risk criminals in the Kingdom of Eswatini, due to these criminals being deported from the United States on a special flight. This is a big concern for the national security of South Africa according to Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.

“South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on South Africa’s national security and immigration policy given the geographical proximity between the two sisterly countries.”

These convicted criminals are all of different nationalities and have been rejected by the native countries due to the magnitude of their crimes. This has forced the United States to deport them elsewhere, in which the Kingdom of Eswatini had obliged to make way for these criminals to be detained on their land.

 The United States Department of Homeland Security had been the one to announce that these convicted criminals from different countries are being deported to Eswatini.

“DIRCO, on behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa, noted the aforementioned statement wherein Eswatini and the USA indicated that they would collaborate with the international organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the transit of these inmates to their countries of origin.” said Phiri.

 The South African government has reached out to Eswatini High Commissioner in order to express their concerns over this decision. This followed an announcement that an additional 150 criminals were set to be sent to Eswatini which gives South Africa even more cause for alarm.

 Professor Kedibone Phage from the faculty of Governance at North West University, expressed that South Africa expressing its concerns is a step in the “right direction” and praised South Africa for their ability to remain assertive on their stance on the arrival of these criminals.

 “This is a step in the right direction because it is really unthinkable that a country can receive the most dangerous criminals that are coming from very far… It is quite interesting that Eswatini could strike this kind of a deal but I think SA’s statement is positive and is a step in the right direction.”

 Phage had also made mention that the government must affirm that it will do whatever is necessary to prevent these criminals from coming to South Africa.

 “We need lots of assurances from the government that they are on high alert to make sure that as a country, our safety is not compromised.”

 Phage questioned the timing of this decision especially due to America already not on good terms with South Africa and wonders if this is a ploy to drive a wedge between the two nations, as South Africa questions why they were not made aware of this decision before it happened.

 “The statement is very reactive and shows that South Africans are on their own. We have a lot of questions to ask Eswatini to agree to such a move without South Africa’s knowledge…it means that they [the American government] are starting a serious diplomatic wedge between our two countries. In essence, it means we are way too late to even consider engaging Eswatini meaningfully on this matter.”