International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned the unilateral visa restrictions announced by his US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This follows Rubio’s announcement on Tuesday that the restrictions would target individuals whom the US believes are responsible for policies that have resulted in race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and the incitement of racial violence through dehumanising chants and slogans.
Lamola has, however, hit back at Rubio, accusing him of distorting the truth about South Africa and its policies.
“The announcement once again aligns 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.
“South Africa remains committed to addressing the injustices of the past and contemporary challenges as a sovereign people,” said Lamola.
Furthermore, the minister said Pretoria, like any other country, has a sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation’s concerns over centuries of racial injustice.
“Legislation in the democratic era is intended to improve the plight of the people who had been excluded for centuries.
“This is consistent with other countries that have a similar experience to South Africa,” explained Lamola.
The minister said that, as part of its commitments under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the protection of the dignity of all people, South Africa has enacted the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023.
Lamola sought to clarify that the legislation sets out a stringent legal framework for addressing hate speech and prosecuting hate crimes, adding that the law is binding on both 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,” emphasised Lamola.
The minister also indicated that South Africans respect the right of the American people to develop laws to address their own circumstances and expect the same respect to be accorded to South Africans.
He highlighted that the government is doing all it can to eradicate crime, which he said affects everyone and does not target anyone based on their race, colour or social origin.
Despite the tensions between the two countries, Lamola is optimistic that bilateral relations can be strengthened through constructive engagement between state actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, rather than through unilateral actions.
“Therefore, the ongoing South Africa–United States bilateral discussions on these matters demonstrate the importance that both countries attach to finding a lasting solution.
“The discussions have highlighted the need for any resolution to consider South Africa’s unique circumstances and to respect its democracy, Constitution, sovereignty and the will of its people,” remarked Lamola.
