Nine South Africans arrested for immigration violations in America listed as ‘Worst of the Worst’ by Department of Homeland Security
Of the many South Africans caught up in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, nine have been listed as ‘the worst of the worst’ by the Department of Homeland Security in America. The ‘Worst of the Worst’ list is a category created by President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security for foreign nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the most serious of crimes, ranging from violent crimes, sexual offences, drug trafficking and fraud. The South Africans in the ‘Worst of the Worst’ list have allegedly committed crimes ranging from Aggravated Assault, drug possession and distribution to sexual assault on adults and minors
The department lists 38 year old male, Viwe Kuse who was arrested in Florida for crimes listed as Drug possession, Fraud, and Burglary. Kuse Was allegedly booked into the APOPKA Police Department on December 2, 2025 for the sale and delivery of cocaine. His bail was set at $15,000. Many online sources allege Kuse may have an arrest record going as far back as 2020.
The list also shows Jacobus Janse Van Rensburg who is around 24+ years of age, arrested in Le Center Minnesota . Jacobus allegedly migrated to the United States on an H-2A for agricultural work around 2022 was later arrested for violent conduct including Aggravated Assault with a weapon, Assault, and driving under the influence (DIU), which means he operated a car while under the influence of a limited substance.
There is also the case of 30-year-old Christiaan Opperman, who was convicted around January 15, 2021 in Charlotte Florida for engaging in sexual acts with a victim between the ages of 12 and 15. Christiaan is allegedly a registered sex offender in the United States, which means he has to register and alert his neighbors of his crimes with minors everywhere he resides. The department of Homeland Security claims to have apprehended Christiaan in Tallahassee, Florida.
Another South African to make this notorious list is David Fourie, a South African arrested in Columbia, South Carolina. The department of homeland security lists him as having committed the crimes of larceny and public order crimes. His crimes allegedly vary from taking property unlawfully and performing acts that violent the normal life of society.
The department of Homeland Security also lists Michael Nzama . arrested in Las Vegas Nevada having committed aggravated-assault-non-family-strongarm. This means he assaulted someone with a weapon other than a gun with intent to harm them.
The list contains the names of only two South African women 32-year-old Charlene Vermaak and Samantha Garriot. Charlene was detained in Alfred, Maine, with his crimes listed as the sale of illegal drugs, mainly Amphetamines. Online records show that Charlene has an illustrious criminal career mostly due to her use and distribution of drugs with an arrest for possession of fentanyl in Old Orchard beach. The other woman, Samantha Garriot was detained in Colorado City, Texas for the charge of Aggravated Assault. She is said to have been charged with attacking a person and causing very serious physical harm to them. Her crime is a felony charge, which means it’s a very severe crime.
The list also contains 41-year-old Ovette Porthen, a South African detained in Williston, North Dakota. The department of homeland Security lists his convictions as the felony charge of robbery. Online Sources allege that Ovette Porthen also has arrests records for possession of drugs. He was allegedly arrested on a drug possession case on October 9. 2024. This suggests a long criminal record of violating various United States laws. Ovette was further arrested on July, 7 2025 for being in the Unites States Illegally.
The last South African to be listed in the ‘Worst of the Worst’ list is 51-year-old Barrett Busschau, detained in Seattle , Washington for Failure to Appear before court and sexual assault. Barrett Preston Busschau is said to have committed rape and sexual abuse charges in 1993, with victims aged 10 to 15 years of age. He is said to have been on the run for 25 years and has been apprehended and is facing deportation.
