South Africa has criticised a new United States visa policy targeting certain people accused by Washington of supporting racial discrimination, uncompensated land seizures or violence against minority groups.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the restrictions on Tuesday, 15 September. No affected individuals have been publicly identified, and the measure is not a general restriction on South African citizens travelling to the United States.
Who the policy targets
Rubio said the policy would apply to foreign nationals considered responsible for, or complicit in, making or implementing laws and policies that enable race-based discrimination or uncompensated land seizures in South Africa.
It also covers people accused of inciting imminent violence against members of minority racial or ethnic groups.
The US announcement did not name any individuals or explain how many people could be affected.
Pretoria rejects US claims
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the policy misrepresented the country’s domestic laws and the purpose behind them.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa had a sovereign right to adopt measures addressing the consequences of centuries of racial injustice.
In its formal response, the government said legislation introduced since the end of apartheid was intended to improve conditions for people who had historically been excluded.
Pretoria also maintained that crime affects South Africans across racial groups and rejected claims that particular communities were being officially targeted.
Relations remain strained
The dispute is the latest source of tension between Washington and Pretoria.
The US administration has repeatedly criticised South Africa’s racial policies, land-reform programme and international positions. South Africa, however, says its laws operate within the constitution and are intended to correct inequalities created under apartheid.
According to Reuters, the US ambassador to South Africa described the visa restrictions as the first of several possible measures.
South Africa has called for the disagreement to be handled through diplomatic engagement rather than unilateral action.
What the restrictions mean
The measure should not be described as a ban on South Africans.
It is a targeted visa policy affecting individuals whom the US government believes meet its stated conditions. Washington has not disclosed their names, positions or the number of people involved.
Further details may emerge when individual visa applications are refused or when the US announces additional measures.
Trivane View
The distinction between a targeted policy and a nationwide travel restriction is essential. Reporting should also separate Washington’s allegations from established facts while giving South Africa’s response equal prominence.
