The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting some South African nationals over land reform and alleged racial discrimination.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on Tuesday, September 16, 2026.
According to Rubio, the policy will target foreign nationals who are responsible for, or complicit in, laws that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and incitement of 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 in a statement.
He said the US will not allow such behavior to go unchecked and cited concerns over race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and incitement of racial violence.
The US did not name any specific individuals affected, but said the restrictions could also affect family members of those targeted.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, said the government noted the decision with concern. He said the announcement aligns with mischaracterization of South Africa’s domestic policies by fringe groups.
Lamola defended South Africa’s laws, saying it is the country’s sovereign right to address centuries of racial injustice and the legacy of apartheid. He said the Expropriation Act of 2025 only allows expropriation without compensation in limited circumstances and is not arbitrary.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have worsened since President Donald Trump’s second term. The US has previously frozen aid, imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods, and created a refugee program for Afrikaners, claiming they face persecution – a claim Pretoria denies.
Want me to rewrite this in Linda Ikeji style or professional Vanguard/Punch style?
