The United States has introduced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals linked to certain South African laws and policies, adding further pressure to already strained relations between Washington and Pretoria.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions could be imposed on individuals whom Washington determines to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies involving what the US describes as uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or incitement of violence against racial or ethnic minorities.
The South African government has rejected the central premise of Washington’s concerns.
The latest move follows previous disagreements between the two countries and could add uncertainty to diplomatic, government and business engagements involving affected individuals.
The US State Department said Pretoria had failed to adequately address concerns previously raised by Washington.
The policy is being implemented under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the US Secretary of State to restrict entry where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an individual’s entry or proposed activities could have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
The measures give Washington the ability to deny visas to individuals it determines were involved in enacting or implementing the South African laws or policies covered by the announcement.
Certain immediate family members could also face restrictions.
No individuals have been publicly identified as targets under the new policy.
The latest development comes as South Africa and the US navigate broader disagreements over foreign policy and domestic legislation, with the visa measures potentially adding another point of tension to bilateral relations.