The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has distanced itself from explosive allegations that the Kingdom of Eswatini has been secretly releasing US deportees at night into SA through informal border crossings after pocketing about R100 million from the Donald Trump administration.
DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela on Wednesday dismissed the report in a one-line response to Africa Daily when asked whether the department was aware of the allegations and whether SA had raised the matter diplomatically.
“It’s not true,” Monyela said, without entertaining whether DIRCO was aware of the alleged night releases or whether it had sought verification from Eswatini authorities.
The BMA has noted claims that deportees are entering South Africa through informal border crossings and wishes to clarify that South Africa’s land Ports of Entry with the Kingdom of Eswatini are secured, with access control measures implemented at designated entry and exit points.
The BMA dismisses claims that deportees are entering South Africa through informal border crossings.
Speaking to Africa Daily BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said the authority supported by other law enforcement authorities maintains a presence across the country’s Ports of Entry and continues to conduct border surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent and detect unlawful entry, including the smuggling and trafficking of persons.
“It is imperative to understand that any person who is in transit through South African Airports go through international transfers without entering the Republic. Therefore, any attempt to circumvent formal Ports of Entry is subject to detection and enforcement action,” Mogotsi said.
Monyela, however, forwarded a press release issued by the Eswatini Government, which also did not directly address the core allegations of secret releases to SA.
The article, at the centre of the storm alleges that Eswatini, after receiving around R100 million under a deal with Washington to take in about 160 alleged illegal immigrants deported from the US – some previously convicted of serious crimes including child rape, armed robbery and murder – has begun quietly letting them leave the Kingdom, with some allegedly crossing illegally into South Africa at night.
The report further claims that Phone Chomsavanh, a Laotian man dumped by the Trump administration in Eswatini, was secretly released by the Eswatini Government and allowed to take a flight out of Johannesburg.
It cites TRT Africa, a Turkish public broadcaster, which reported this week on Chomsavanh’s release, quoting his US-based lawyer.
But the report goes further, alleging that this is not an isolated case – that Eswatini has been releasing deportees after dark and allowing them to use informal crossings into neighbouring SA.
Africa Daily has not independently verified the night-crossing claim.
What is on public record is that the US and Eswatini signed an agreement for Eswatini to receive third-country nationals deported from the US. SA, through DIRCO, has previously expressed serious concerns about the deal, citing a threat to regional security and stability in the Southern African Development Community.
On Wednesday Acting Eswatini Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli issued a statement confirming that three Third-Country Nationals who arrived under the agreement with the United States had voluntarily departed Eswatini and returned to their countries of origin in recent weeks.
“The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini informs the public that three third country nationals, who arrived in the kingdom under the existing boilerplate arrangement with the government of the United States of America have voluntarily departed the kingdom and returned to their respective countries of origin at different intervals in recent weeks,” Mdluli said.
“The first TCN, a national of Yemen, voluntarily departed the kingdom on Tuesday 8 September 2026 following his request to return to his country of origin.
“The second TCN is a national of Belize, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on 30 September following his request to go back home. The third a national from Laos voluntarily left the kingdom on the 4th of October following his request for voluntary repatriation to his country.”
Mdluli said the departures formed part of ongoing arrangements and that government continued to engage with relevant authorities to facilitate voluntary repatriation requests.
“These departures form part of the ongoing arrangements concerning third country nationals residing in the kingdom. Government continues to engage with the relevant authorities and partners to facilitate requests for voluntary repatriation, where made, in accordance with the applicable arrangements and procedures,” she said.
“Government expresses its appreciation to the countries and relevant authorities that have cooperated with the kingdom in facilitating the transit of the third country nationals as they traveled to their respective countries of origin. Such cooperation has contributed to a smooth and orderly facilitation of their journey home.”
“The government will continue providing updates on any significant developments concerning third party nationals in the kingdom as appropriate.”
The statement does not address whether any deportees travelled via Johannesburg, nor does it respond to the specific allegation that deportees were released at night to cross illegally into South Africa.
Meanwhile, the US has in recent months strengthened diplomatic ties with Eswatini at a time when relations between Washington and Pretoria have been strained, partly over SA’s foreign policy positions and its stance on international justice issues.
Africa Daily has asked DIRCO and the BMA for further clarification on whether South Africa has received diplomatic assurances from Eswatini that no deportees have been released into South African territory.
