SA crime refugee never laid charges with cops

Brandon Huntley, the South African who was granted refugee status by Canada, never laid any charges with the police to back up his claims that he was attacked seven times in his home country.

He told immigration officials in Canada that black people had attacked him on seven different occasions and that white people were not safe in South Africa.

“I’ve opened people’s eyes,” Huntley told the Star.

“I refuse to talk to the government,” he said.

Canadian authorities granted him refugee status, raising the ire of the African National Congress, who called the decision “racist”.

The SA government was not asked to make any presentation in the case.

The chairperson of the board who made the decision, William Davis, ruled that Huntley “was a victim because of his race rather than a victim of criminality”.

“The evidence ... shows a picture of indifference and inability or unwillingness of the government and the security forces to protect white South Africans from persecution by African South Africans,” said Davis.

Home affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the decision was based on “absolute rubbish”.

The ANC said on Tuesday they found the claim that the had been attacked by Africans due to his skin colour “without any police intervention” sensational and alarming.

“Canada’s reasoning for granting Huntley a refugee status can only serve to perpetuate racism,” said the ANC.

The ruling party said President Jacob Zuma has made it very clear that the government would tackle South Africa’s high crime rate, with its annual murder rate standing at about 18 000.

“There are no doubts about the government’s commitment to fight crime in the country.

During his 2009 State of the Nation address, President Jacob Zuma made it clear that government would—with the support of all organs of civil society—move with speed in addressing crime.”

News24.com reported that Canada had granted South African citizen Huntley refugee status because the South African government could not protect him from persecution by “African South Africans”.

The Ottawa Sun reported that Huntley had provided “clear and convincing proof of the South African government’s inability or unwillingness to protect him” to a Canadian immigration and refugee board. - Sapa