Afrikaner refugees: Kenyans found illegally working at US asylum claim centre in South Africa

The seven Kenyans had previously been denied working visas and will now be deported, South Africa says.

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Seven Kenyans were arrested after intelligence reports revealed that people "had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had illegally taken up work" at the centre, said a statement from South Africa's department of home affairs.

Washington accused South Africa of "interference" in its efforts to admit white Afrikaners as refugees, in a response issued to Agence France-Presse.

The US is offering asylum status to Afrikaners as it says the community is facing persecution. South Africa's government has rejected the claims.

The US has reduced its yearly intake of refugees from around the world from 125,000 to 7,500, but says it will prioritise Afrikaners, who are mostly descendants of Dutch and French settlers.