US EditionCriminals Next Door: South Africa Raises Alarm over United States Deportees Housed in eSwatini
SOUTH AFRICA, AUG 5 – South Africa warns of security risks from US-deported criminals in Eswatini, with repatriation efforts underway but origin countries refusing to accept them, officials said.
- A group of five convicted criminals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen arrived in Eswatini in early August 2025 after being deported from the United States on a special flight.
- The United States and Eswatini coordinated this deportation to strengthen diplomatic relations, but some countries refuse to accept these individuals, complicating repatriation efforts.
- South Africa's government expressed deep concern over the individuals' criminal profiles due to regional security risks, urging consultation with regional bodies and requesting clarity about future deportations.
- Eswatini’s acting spokesperson Thabile Mdluli acknowledged the group’s arrival and indicated that efforts are underway to return them to their home countries within a year.
- The situation raises fears that Eswatini might become a transit hub for such deportees, which could have cross-border implications for South Africa and surrounding countries.
13 Articles
13 Articles
South Africa worried by US-deported criminals dumped in Eswatini
The South African government has officially raised concerns with the Kingdom of Eswatini following confirmation that a group of foreign nationals – some convicted of serious crimes – was recently transported to Eswatini from the United States. The matter came to light after Eswatini’s acting government spokesperson, Thabile Mdluli, confirmed that the individuals, described as dangerous criminals of various nationalities, had arrived in the count…
After three weeks of silence, SA expresses concern over deported criminals in Eswatini
The South African government has noted with concern the arrival in Eswatini of a group of dangerous criminals from various nationalities who were deported from the US, with the potential for more dangerous criminals of this profile to follow.
SA worried about dangerous criminals sent to Eswatini by US
The South African government has noted with concern the arrival in Eswatini of a group of dangerous criminals from various nationalities who were deported from the US, with the potential for more dangerous criminals of this profile to follow.
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