US Releases Names, Photos of 9 South Africans Set for Deportation
- The US government updated its deportation registry and identified nine South African nationals who had been prioritised for removal
- The deportation list included individuals convicted of serious offences, with some cases attracting widespread attention because of their backgrounds
- US immigration authorities confirmed the affected South Africans remained on the deportation register as legal and administrative processes continued
The United States Government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has updated its public deportation registry.
Following the US authorities publishing the names of several foreign nationals, Legit.ng was able to identify all South African citizens residing in the US with major criminal records.
Source: UGC
The DHS "Worst of the Worst" (WOW) portal revealed a total of nine South African nationals who have been flagged and are slated for deportation.
US publishes deportation list for South Africans
Rather than minor residency violations, the South African nationals featured on the database have been convicted of major state and federal offenses across the United States.
Below is a detailed report on the nine South Africans currently awaiting deportation, their locations of arrest, and the deep-rooted criminal histories that led to their arrests.
9 South Africans to be deported from US
1. Barrett Preston Busschau
Source: UGC
One of the most high-profile cold cases on the list is Barrett Preston Busschau. He was the subject of a massive, 25-year-long international search by the FBI after fleeing Oregon in 1993 prior to his trial for the sexual abuse of five young girls.
He was subsequently booked by immigration authorities in Seattle, Washington, and is now awaiting his final deportation flight.
2. Charlene Vermaak
Source: UGC
Charlene Vermaak, a 32-year-old resident of Maine, has a long history of run-ins with law enforcement in Sanford and Saco. Her criminal record details a repeated pattern of drug-related offenses, including a notable arrest in January 2024 for the unlawful possession of over 200 milligrams of fentanyl powder in Old Orchard Beach. Her criminal activities over the years ultimately led to her being flagged for deportation from the US.
3. Viwe Kuse
Source: UGC
The 36-year-old resident of Altamonte Springs and Apopka has been arrested multiple times by Orlando-area police for burglary, drug possession, and fraud-related offenses. Most recently, in early 2025, Kuse was arrested for possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, alongside charges of trespassing and outstanding out-of-county warrants, cementing his place on the deportation register.
4. Jacobus Janse Van Rensburg
Source: UGC
Jacobus was arrested by the local sheriff's department in Le Center, Minnesota. The 23-year-old South African national was booked on serious charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, ending up on the priority deportation list.
5. Christiaan Opperman
Source: UGC
Christiaan Opperman was apprehended in Tallahassee, Florida, for severe offenses targeting children. This conviction fast-tracked his placement on the priority list for removal from the United States.
6. David Fourie
Source: UGC
David Fourie was arrested and detained in Columbia, South Carolina. US immigration records list his offences as larceny (theft) along with various public order crimes.
7. Michael Nzama
Source: UGC
Michael Nzama was taken into custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was charged with strongarm aggravated assault against a non-family member. This violent crime immediately brought him to the attention of federal immigration authorities, who have now finalised his deportation order.
8. Samantha Garriott
Source: UGC
Samantha Garriott was arrested in Colorado City, Texas, on a violent felony charge. She was booked for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Despite seeking legal remedies in court, her federal conviction has solidified her deportation status.
9. Ovette Porthen
Source: UGC
Ovette Porthen was arrested by law enforcement in Williston, North Dakota. Porthen was convicted of a robbery offense, a major felony that led to his placement on the high-profile ICE deportation register.
US list of Yahoo boys facing deportation
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the US government released the identities of five notorious Nigerian cyber fraudsters (Yahoo boys) who were among those marked for deportation.
One of the individuals was once celebrated on a prestigious global business Forbes list before his dramatic downfall.
Source: Legit.ng
