NATIONAL NEWS - Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu issued a diplomatic démarche to the Australian high commissioner yesterday following statements made by their home affairs minister.

Australia’s home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, who oversees immigration, said the white South Africans deserve “special attention” for acceptance on refugee or humanitarian grounds.

He cited reports of land seizures and violence targeting the white farmers.

Sisulu issued the diplomatic démarche to the Australian high commissioner to South Africa, Adam McCarthy, to demand a retraction of the comments made by Dutton.

It was communicated to the high commissioner that the South African government is offended by the statements that have been attributed to the Australian home affairs minister and a full retraction is expected.

The high commissioner, who was accompanied by his deputy high commissioner, undertook to immediately communicate with the Australian government the message from the minister and the South African government.

Read more on the Caxton publication, The Citizen.