The criminals deported by Trump to Eswatini will soon be SA’s problem, citizens say

by Nomonde Simelane

While addressing issues such as alleged corruption within government, illegal immigration and unemployment, South Africans have noted the group of convicted criminals which were recently deported from the U.S to Eswatini as one more cause for concern.

Since the beginning of his presidential campaign,  bringing the United States back to its glory days as a global superpower has been at the top of Donald Trump’s priority list.

In efforts to make that a reality, he has made a number of controversial decisions, including deporting immigrants of colour, which has garnered some intense reactions from Americans and the rest of the world.

With the Supreme Court lifting restrictions on third-country deportations earlier in June, the Trump administration has wasted no time on taking advantage of these new developments, and struck some deals with approximately over 50 countries to accept their deportees.

South African neighbours and allies Eswatini find themselves among this group of countries, and recently, the first flight carrying five convicted criminals, in which the United States’ Department of Homeland Security described as “uniquely barbaric” landed in Eswatini after their home countries refused to accept them.

The group, hailing from various countries such as Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos, were convicted of serious crimes like murder, child rape, assault, and robbery.

Taking to social media, some citizens have expressed immense concern over these recent developments, as they cite a looming security concern for South Africa.

According to these individuals, the country’s extremely porous borders, coupled with South Africa’s stronger economic activity, will lead yo these criminals finding their way into the country.

Furthermore, others have critiqued this move by Trump and his administration, and have accused him of leveraging economically dependent countries.

They highlight the rampant human rights issues that have plagued Eswatini, as well as their limited capacity to adequately detain these hardened criminals.

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