A South African family is facing physical violence, death threats, legal retaliation, and systemic failure. Their last hope may be U.S. refugee protection. Here are the details:
While filming a documentary in South Africa, I interviewed Delia Byliefeldt—a mother and state witness in a case involving police misconduct. In 2021, she and her husband fled from armed hijackers and ran for help into a local police station.
Instead of protecting them, SAPS did nothing. What followed was an assault inside the station BY THE HIGHJACKERS who SAPS allowed into the building. An attempt by SAPS to coverup the blatant corruption followed- they confiscated her husband’s phone and attempted to take hers upon realization that she documented the crime.
Delia captured it on video. (See Below)
Since then, her family has endured nonstop harassment:
– Repeated death threats
– Two associated individuals from the case have been murdered
– Armed men arriving at their home
– Ongoing legal intimidation
– An attempted murder on her husbands life
Her next court testimony is June 2– She has expressed to me and others that she fears she won’t live to see it.
Her husband—also a victim in the original attack—is now facing criminal charges that civil rights groups say are baseless, as THEY were the actual victims, not SAPS nor the armed high-jackers. If convicted, he could be imprisoned in a system that can only be described as compromised.
They applied for U.S. refugee protection under a policy meant to fast-track urgent, life-threatening cases. They have had no luck or additional contact from the U.S.
I’m not here to litigate the entire justice system. But when a family produces evidence of abuse, faces retaliation, and follows the correct channels for asylum—and still gets no response—that’s a problem.
This isn’t about politics or what side of the ideological spectrum you may be on— It’s about a principle: If we have systems designed to protect people in danger, they should work before tragedy strikes.
If this family vanishes—into silence, into prison, or into a grave—it won’t be because no one knew. It’ll be because no one acted.
I hope someone at @StateDept @DHSgov @USCIS @POTUS will consider reviewing this case.
It’s complex, yes—but the danger to this family is clear.
While filming a documentary in South Africa, I interviewed Delia Byliefeldt—a mother and state witness in a case involving police misconduct. In 2021, she and her husband fled from armed hijackers and ran for help into a local police station.
Instead of protecting them, SAPS did nothing. What followed was an assault inside the station BY THE HIGHJACKERS who SAPS allowed into the building. An attempt by SAPS to coverup the blatant corruption followed- they confiscated her husband’s phone and attempted to take hers upon realization that she documented the crime.
Delia captured it on video. (See Below)
Since then, her family has endured nonstop harassment:
– Repeated death threats
– Two associated individuals from the case have been murdered
– Armed men arriving at their home
– Ongoing legal intimidation
– An attempted murder on her husbands life
Her next court testimony is June 2– She has expressed to me and others that she fears she won’t live to see it.
Her husband—also a victim in the original attack—is now facing criminal charges that civil rights groups say are baseless, as THEY were the actual victims, not SAPS nor the armed high-jackers. If convicted, he could be imprisoned in a system that can only be described as compromised.
They applied for U.S. refugee protection under a policy meant to fast-track urgent, life-threatening cases. They have had no luck or additional contact from the U.S.
I’m not here to litigate the entire justice system. But when a family produces evidence of abuse, faces retaliation, and follows the correct channels for asylum—and still gets no response—that’s a problem.
This isn’t about politics or what side of the ideological spectrum you may be on— It’s about a principle: If we have systems designed to protect people in danger, they should work before tragedy strikes.
If this family vanishes—into silence, into prison, or into a grave—it won’t be because no one knew. It’ll be because no one acted.
I hope someone at @StateDept @DHSgov @USCIS @POTUS will consider reviewing this case.
It’s complex, yes—but the danger to this family is clear.
A few key excerpts from the court proceedings:
– In referencing a previous case, the magistrate remarked on a White female defendant, implying she believed she was “special” due to her race. The magistrate also mentioned the White woman being suicidal because of the sentencing.
– During a review of the case, the new attorney representing the victims successfully got the court to acknowledge that one of the magistrate’s prior comments about Delia was racially prejudiced.
– In referencing a previous case, the magistrate remarked on a White female defendant, implying she believed she was “special” due to her race. The magistrate also mentioned the White woman being suicidal because of the sentencing.
– During a review of the case, the new attorney representing the victims successfully got the court to acknowledge that one of the magistrate’s prior comments about Delia was racially prejudiced.
Worth noting before it starts to be mentioned:
Multiple (but not all) of the high jackers/attackers are seen in what appear to be Private Security Vehicles— This group is not real private security as they are not registered with PSIRA. They are criminals using security branding to get away with crime. (Which worked by the way)
Multiple (but not all) of the high jackers/attackers are seen in what appear to be Private Security Vehicles— This group is not real private security as they are not registered with PSIRA. They are criminals using security branding to get away with crime. (Which worked by the way)
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