In a story that’s caught everyone’s attention, Errol Langton, a man from Johannesburg, is at the center of some serious controversy.
He’s been accused of pretending to be an Afrikaner in order to qualify as a refugee and move to the United States.
The allegations came from his own stepdaughter, who shared her side of the story through viral TikTok videos.
The Stepdaughter Speaks Out on TikTok
Geneve Gouws didn’t hold back when she saw footage of Langton and his family arriving in the US as Afrikaner refugees.
She expressed her disbelief, asking what exactly they needed protection from and claiming they weren’t really Afrikaners.
According to her, Langton fabricated his story to get refugee status, painting himself as a victim of crime—though she thinks these claims stem from personal family issues, including domestic abuse involving her mother, Langton’s ex-wife.
Langton’s Side of the Story
Errol Langton took to TikTok as well to defend himself.
He explained that while his family had stopped speaking Afrikaans a long time ago, they still identified as Afrikaner by descent.
He said switching to English was just a practical choice to get ahead, not a rejection of their culture.
Langton also shared that he owned or leased a farm where he was trying to make commercial farming work, growing leafy greens for over three years.
He challenged critics by asking why he shouldn’t qualify for the resettlement program, emphasizing that being an Afrikaner isn’t just about the language you speak but your heritage.
What Does the US Refugee Program Require?
The US Mission to South Africa clarified the criteria for the refugee resettlement program.
Applicants need to be South African citizens, belong to Afrikaner ethnicity or another racial minority, and demonstrate a history or fear of persecution.
What Do You Think?
This story raises some big questions—do you think the Afrikaner applicants are bending the truth about their background and experiences? Or is there more complexity to their claims?
The debate is heating up, and it’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds.
What’s your take?