Brandon Huntley, the South African who was granted refugee status by Canada, never laid any charges with the police to back up his claims that he was attacked seven times in his home country.

The Star newspaper reported on Wednesday that Huntley never reported any attacks to the police.

He told immigration officials in Canada that black people had attacked him on seven different occasions and that white people were not safe in South Africa.

"I've opened people's eyes," Huntley told The Star.

He said he would not talk to South African authorities about the matter.

"I refuse to talk to the government," he said.

Canadian authorities granted him refugee status, to the ire of the ruling African National Congress.

The SA government was not asked to make any presentation in the case.

The chairman of the board who made the decision, William Davis, ruled that Huntley "was a victim because of his race rather than a victim of criminality".

"The evidence... shows a picture of indifference and inability or unwillingness of the government and the security forces to protect white South Africans from persecution by African South Africans," said Davis.

Home affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the decision was based on "absolute rubbish" while the ANC said it was racist.

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