JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Thursday defended an immigration operation that led to the deportation of seven Kenyan nationals, rejecting U.S. accusations of misconduct toward American officials.
In a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the South African government said the deportation of seven Kenyan nationals by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) was carried out in full compliance with the country's immigration statutes.
The individuals were found to be engaging in employment without required work permits, in violation of immigration regulations, it said, adding that South Africa will not negotiate its sovereignty and the implementation of the rule of law.
During the operation, DHA officials, in cooperation with the police department, arrested and later deported the Kenyan nationals who were allegedly employed at a facility processing applications for so-called "refugees" seeking resettlement in the United States.
Several U.S. media outlets reported that two U.S. staff were "briefly detained and then released" during the operation.
The DIRCO's statement rejected allegations concerning the handling of private information of U.S. officials, describing such claims 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.
The DIRCO said that while firmly dismissing unfounded claims, Pretoria remains committed to principled and transparent diplomacy, and official channels have been opened with the U.S. government to seek clarity on the matter and to reinforce the importance of mutual respect and fact-based dialogue in bilateral engagements.
The statement was issued against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States following an operation conducted by South African immigration authorities in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning what it described as the detention of U.S. officials. "The U.S. condemns in the strongest terms the South African government's recent detention of U.S. officials performing their duties to provide humanitarian support to Afrikaners."
Claiming U.S. officials' passport information had been publicly released, the U.S. State Department called it "an unacceptable form of harassment."
"We are seeking immediate clarification from the South African government and expect full cooperation and accountability," said U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott, adding that interfering in U.S. refugee operations is "unacceptable."
The DHA, however, said in a statement published on Wednesday that no U.S. officials were arrested during the operation and that the enforcement action was not conducted at any diplomatic site.
"The presence of foreign officials apparently coordinating with undocumented workers naturally raises serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol. The DIRCO has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve this matter," the DHA said.
Relations between South Africa and the United States have deteriorated since early this year, with analysts pointing to growing divergences between Pretoria and Washington on major international issues, including South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
In February, the U.S. administration denounced South Africa's new land law, accusing the government of discriminating against white citizens, and issued an executive order cutting off U.S. aid.
Tensions further escalated on Aug. 7, when the United States imposed a 30 percent tariff on South African exports, the highest rate applied to any sub-Saharan African country.
The latest round of rhetorical clashes began in November, when Washington openly boycotted the Group of Twenty summit hosted by South Africa. ■
