US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting certain foreign nationals from South Africa, as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to cool diplomatic ties with Pretoria.
Rubio made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the restrictions would apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for, or complicit in, implementing laws or policies that enable what Washington describes as uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.
“The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns,” Rubio said.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised South Africa over several issues, including its policies aimed at addressing racial inequality, which Trump has claimed discriminate against white people.
Washington has also raised concerns over South Africa’s land reform policies and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
South African officials have rejected claims that white people are being persecuted or subjected to genocide in the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for international efforts to counter what he describes as false narratives about the persecution of white South Africans.
Trump has previously cut US aid to South Africa, offered refugee status to white Afrikaners and expelled South Africa’s ambassador to Washington.
The US president has also repeatedly made claims of a so-called white genocide in South Africa, which Pretoria has rejected.
Rubio’s latest announcement did not name any individuals who would be affected by the new visa restrictions.
The South African embassy in Washington had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
