Rubio targets South Africans’ US visas. Who could be next?
PRETORIA — South African politicians and officials could face restrictions on travel to the United States under a new policy announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Certain family members could also be affected, although no individuals were named in the announcement.
Rubio said the policy targets people responsible for, or complicit in, laws and practices that Washington describes as racial discrimination, uncompensated land seizures or incitement to violence against minority groups. The measures could involve rejecting visa applications or revoking existing visas.
The announcement turns a dispute over South Africa’s domestic policies into potential personal travel consequences for those the US holds responsible. Its stated scope concerns identified conduct rather than a blanket prohibition on South African passport holders.
Rubio accused the South African government of failing to address rural crime and discriminatory treatment of Afrikaners and other minorities. These are Washington’s allegations, which Pretoria disputes. He said those responsible would have no place in the United States.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern over the unilateral measures. South Africa’s foreign ministry said the decision reflected a misrepresentation of the country’s policies by fringe groups and argued that disagreements should be handled through diplomacy.
The ministry’s response places sovereignty and South Africa’s efforts to address historical inequality at the centre of the dispute. Washington, meanwhile, is presenting the restrictions as action against discrimination.
The policy also reaches beyond its principal targets: reporting on the announcement indicates that family members may face restrictions, widening the potential personal consequences. However, the announcement does not establish which South African politicians, officials or relatives have already been affected.
For now, the unanswered question is who Washington will act against. The policy has been announced, but naming a particular politician as banned would go beyond the information made public.
Anyone with additional information can contact the press desk at press@townpress.co.za or drop a tip on our anonymous platform at tips.townpress.co.za.