DIRCO: US visa restrictions based on mischaracterisation of SA policies

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says that challenges in South Africa’s bilateral relations with the United States of America (USA) can only be resolved by constructive engagement through state actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts.

This follows the announcement made by US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on Tuesday, in which he said that visa restrictions will be put in place targeting “foreign nationals involved in race-based discrimination and incitement” and “uncompensated land seizures”.

He added that the United States remains gravely concerned about racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination occurring against the Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa, including race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and incitement of racial violence through dehumanising chants and slogans.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, however, says these restrictions align with the mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies by fringe groups who wrongly portray themselves as representatives of “minorities” and Afrikaners in general.

“We reiterate that healing the divisions of the past and establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights is a constitutional imperative.”

Lamola added that South Africa remains committed to addressing the injustices of the past and contemporary challenges as a sovereign people. In a statement, he added that the democratic legislation is intended to improve the plight of the people who had been excluded for centuries.

DIRCO added that as part of its commitments to the international convention on the eradication of racial discrimination and the protection of the dignity of all people, the country has enacted the “Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023.

This legislation sets a stringent legal framework for the eradication of hate speech and the prosecution of hate crimes. This law is binding on both the State and non-state actors.

“South Africa respects that the United States may hold different views regarding particular measures and their implementation; however, 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 added that the ongoing South Africa – United States bilateral discussions on these matters demonstrate the importance that both countries attach to finding a lasting solution.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), however, says there is no denying that many of the policies drafted and passed by the African National Congress (ANC), to which the USA refers, have not served the South African public or achieved their desired outcome.

“This is true, and has been true, long before the advent of the Trump administration. – South Africans of all races know and understand that South Africa’s current policy suite under the ANC does not, and has not, served the majority of our country for decades,” said DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, Ryan Smith

At the same time, Afrikaaner organisation, Suid-Afrikaaners vir Suid Africa, says the new US visa restrictions escalate a dispute that has moved from criticism and aid cuts to now targeting individuals.

“Some Afrikaner organisations have applauded the directive, but they don’t speak for all Afrikaners – and on social media their stance has fuelled hostility toward the whole Afrikaner community. The actions of a few should not stigmatise an entire group.”

AfSA STATEMENT ON US VISA RESTRICTIONS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICANS
A serious escalation
The new US visa restrictions escalate a dispute that has moved from criticism and aid cuts to now targeting individuals. The American embassy in South Africa issued the needlessly belligerent…
— Afrikaners vir SA (@AfrikanersVirSA) September 16, 2026

The Freedom Front Plus, however, says the contempt that President Cyril Ramaphosa demonstrated in ignoring the conditions set by the US for normalising relations between the two countries for more than a year is now leading to serious and direct consequences. In a statement, the party said the new policy makes this abundantly clear.

“President Ramaphosa responded to the current wave of murders of women sweeping through the East Rand by expressing his sympathy, labelling it a “national crisis” and stating that the investigation should be prioritised. That is well and good. It is indeed what needs to happen and how a president ought to act. Likewise, the Freedom Front Plus would like to see the President recognise the seriousness of farm murders, condemn the attacks and issue an order that such incidents be prioritised. In contrast, he denies its existence on the international stage.”

The contempt that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration have demonstrated in ignoring the conditions set by the United States (US) for normalising relations between the two countries for more than a year is now leading to serious and direct consequences. @MulderCorn…
— VRYHEIDSFRONT PLUS (@VFPlus) September 16, 2026