South Africa has pushed back against new US visa restrictions targeting certain South Africans, saying Washington should respect the country’s sovereignty and democratic processes.
Daily Maverick reported that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola was responding to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement of targeted visa restrictions against people the US considers responsible for, or complicit in, policies involving alleged race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures or incitement of imminent violence against minority groups.
Lamola defends South Africa’s laws
In an official statement, DIRCO said Lamola rejected what he described as a mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies.
He said South Africa has a sovereign right to adopt laws aimed at addressing the effects of centuries of racial injustice and that healing the divisions of the past remains a constitutional obligation.
Lamola also said disagreements between Pretoria and Washington should be handled through constructive diplomatic engagement rather than unilateral action.
US targets selected individuals
Rubio said the new policy would apply to foreign nationals considered responsible for or complicit in implementing laws or policies that the US says enable uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.
Daily Maverick reported that Washington has not publicly identified the South Africans who could be affected by the restrictions.
The measures follow a broader dispute between the Trump administration and Pretoria over land reform, Black Economic Empowerment policies and claims about the treatment of Afrikaners and other minorities.
Different responses from Afrikaner groups
Daily Maverick reported that AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel welcomed the restrictions, saying they were directed at individuals rather than ordinary South Africans.
However, Afrikaners vir Suid-Afrika rejected the US move, arguing that South African courts and democratic institutions should determine disputes over domestic laws and policies.
Lamola said South Africa remained committed to addressing crime affecting all communities and maintained that the country’s domestic challenges should be handled within its constitutional framework.