By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 17, 2026
The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting certain foreign nationals from South Africa whom Washington accuses of promoting race-based discrimination and policies affecting the country’s white minority.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the restrictions on Tuesday, saying the measures would apply to people accused of promoting “race-based discrimination, incit[e] violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa.”
Rubio did not identify any individuals who would be affected by the restrictions. Reuters also reported that the announcement did not name specific people targeted by the measures.
The latest action is part of growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria over South Africa’s policies on racial inequality, land reform and the treatment of Afrikaners, descendants primarily of Dutch and French settlers.
South Africa Rejects US Claims
South Africa has repeatedly rejected allegations that its policies discriminate against or persecute white South Africans.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said he viewed the latest US announcement with “concern.”
A statement from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the announcement again reflected what it described as a mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies by groups claiming to represent minorities and Afrikaners.
The South African government maintains that its land-reform policies are intended to address inequalities created under apartheid and has rejected claims that it is engaged in arbitrary land confiscation or persecution of white people.
Rubio Defends Visa Restrictions
Rubio said the South African government had not adequately addressed concerns previously raised by the US administration.
The secretary of state said the restrictions were aimed at individuals involved in policies or actions that Washington considers discriminatory or harmful to minority groups.
“The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns,” Rubio said.
The State Department’s announcement represents another step in the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Pretoria.
Tensions Between Washington and Pretoria
Relations between the United States and South Africa have deteriorated since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The Trump administration has criticised South Africa over several policies, including measures intended to address racial inequality.
Trump’s administration has also cut US assistance to South Africa, expelled the South African ambassador and offered refuge to white South Africans whom he said were facing persecution.
South Africa has rejected the allegations of persecution.
The latest visa restrictions add another point of tension to the relationship between the two countries, particularly over the treatment of minorities and South Africa’s land-reform policies.
Sources
BBC News