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Johannesburg, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
South Africa on Wednesday rejected new visa restrictions announced by the United States, saying the move mischaracterises its domestic policies and undermines efforts to resolve bilateral differences through diplomatic engagement.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the US announcement again reflected what he described as a mischaracterization of South Africa's policies by groups claiming to represent minorities and Afrikaners.
Lamola acknowledged that Washington may have different views on South African policies but said Pretoria expected the country's sovereignty, democracy and constitution to be respected.
“We remain committed to addressing these challenges through our constitutional institutions, democratic processes and the rule of law, with the objective of building a more equal and inclusive society for all South Africans,” Lamola said.
He said ongoing bilateral discussions between the two countries demonstrated the importance both sides placed on finding a lasting solution to their differences.
“We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the United States can only be resolved by constructive engagement through state actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts,” Lamola said.
The response came a day later US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a policy imposing visa restrictions on South African officials alleged to be involved in what Washington described as “race-based discrimination”.
Rubio said the United States remained concerned about what it described as racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination against Afrikaners and other minority groups in South Africa.
He cited South Africa's race-based legislation, the possibility of land expropriation without compensation and what he described as incitement of racial violence through chants and slogans.
Africans are a white ethnic group in South Africa, primarily descended from Dutch, French and German settlers who arrived at the Cape from the 17th century onwards.
The US administration has previously accused the South African government of mistreating White South Africans. Pretoria has rejected those allegations, including claims that it was confiscating land or treating particular groups unfairly.
In February 2025, shortly after beginning his second term, US President Donald Trump directed his administration to facilitate the resettlement of Afrikaners from South Africa as refugees, citing alleged racial discrimination and persecution.
The latest dispute comes as Pretoria and Washington continue discussions over differences concerning South Africa's domestic policies and bilateral relations.