Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Rubio Imposes Visa Restrictions on South Africa Over Bias Claims
The United States is restricting some visas for people from South Africa.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the people targeted were involved in unfair treatment based on race.
He also mentioned land laws and chants that he said could encourage violence.
The announcement did not say who would be punished.
President Donald Trump has made similar accusations about South Africa.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says his government’s policies are meant to help the Black majority.
He says those policies have been misunderstood.
The two countries have had increasingly tense relations.
South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer to help repair ties with the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions targeting South Africans accused of government-sponsored discrimination.
The policy cites race-based legislation, possible land expropriation without compensation, and chants allegedly inciting racial violence.
The announcement did not identify affected individuals or say whether South African officials would be penalized.
President Donald Trump and other conservatives have accused South Africa of discriminating against Afrikaners, claims South African officials reject.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says policies aimed at improving Black South Africans’ economic position have been misconstrued.
- Who
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy; South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, responded to the dispute.
- What
- The United States announced visa restrictions against South Africans it says were involved in government-sponsored discrimination.
- When
- Rubio announced the restrictions Tuesday evening; the reports refer to related events occurring earlier this year and after Donald Trump returned to office last year.
- Where
- The policy concerns South Africa and was announced by the United States; diplomatic tensions also involve Washington and Pretoria.
- Why
- Rubio cited alleged race-based discrimination, possible land expropriation without compensation, and alleged incitement of racial violence.
United States Claims
South African Government Position
Discrimination allegations
United States Claims
The United States says South African authorities have engaged in government-sponsored, race-based discrimination against Afrikaners and other minority groups.
South African Government Position
Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s policies are intended to improve the economic position of the Black majority and have been misconstrued.
Land expropriation law
United States Claims
Rubio criticized a 2025 law that could make it easier for the South African government to expropriate private property in limited cases without compensation.
South African Government Position
The articles report South African officials’ broader defense of their policies but do not provide a specific response to Rubio’s land-law criticism.
Diplomatic response
United States Claims
The United States is using visa restrictions and has urged South Africa to address what Rubio called egregious actions.
South African Government Position
South Africa appointed Roelf Meyer, a White Afrikaner involved in the transition from apartheid, as ambassador to help repair relations with the United States.
- Announcing official
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- Policy
- Visa restrictions targeting South Africans accused of government-sponsored discrimination
- Cited concerns
- Race-based legislation, land expropriation without compensation, and alleged racial-violence incitement
- Affected individuals
- The announcement did not identify anyone or say whether South African officials would be penalized
- South African president
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- Diplomatic effort
- Roelf Meyer was appointed South African ambassador to the United States to help repair ties
- Historical context
- The dispute involves accusations concerning Afrikaners and policies linked to South Africa’s apartheid-era history