By 
The United States has issued a sharp warning to South Africa, threatening “severe consequences” after Pretoria briefly detained two Americans earlier this week.
Washington reportedly said the officials were providing humanitarian aid to the Afrikaner minority, though South Africa denies the claim.
A report by Africanews stated that the incident marked the latest flare-up in an increasingly tense relationship between the two nations this year.
According to the US government, the passport information of the two individuals was publicly released, putting them at risk.
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“This can only be seen as an attempt to intimidate U.S. government personnel in South Africa on official business. The United States will not tolerate such behaviour toward its officials—or any citizens—operating legally and peacefully abroad. The public release of personal identifying information puts the officials in harm’s way,” a US statement said.
South Africa, however, disputes Washington’s account.
On Wednesday, officials said no US personnel had been arrested. Instead, authorities detained seven Kenyan citizens who were allegedly working illegally to process immigration applications for the US government.
The confrontation highlights mounting diplomatic friction, fuelled in part by US accusations of discrimination against South Africa’s Afrikaner minority—a topic that has repeatedly strained relations between Washington and Pretoria throughout the year.
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