The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting certain foreign nationals in South Africa over allegations involving land seizures, racial discrimination and incitement to violence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday the measures would apply to individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, introducing or enforcing laws and policies that Washington says enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or incitement of imminent violence against members of minority racial or ethnic groups.
“The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns,” Rubio said in a statement.
The move marks a further deterioration in relations between Washington and Pretoria, which have become increasingly strained since the start of US President Donald Trump’s second term.
Trump has repeatedly criticised South Africa’s domestic policies aimed at addressing historical racial and economic inequalities, including land reform measures.
The latest visa policy adds a new point of friction between the two governments amid broader disputes over race, land ownership and South Africa’s domestic policies.
