The United States has announced new visa restrictions for certain South Africans.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on Tuesday, 15 September. The move comes as tensions between Washington and Pretoria continue to grow.
According to the US government, the restrictions target people linked to policies involving racial discrimination, land seizures without compensation and calls for violence against minority groups.
However, the US has not named the people who could face the restrictions. It has also not said how many people could be affected.
The new policy does not ban all South Africans from travelling to the United States. Instead, it focuses on certain foreign nationals who meet the conditions set by Washington.
Why did the US introduce the restrictions?
The decision follows months of disagreement between the two countries.
For example, the Trump administration has criticised South Africa’s land reform policies. Washington has also raised concerns about laws that aim to address racial inequality.
In addition, the US has criticised South Africa’s foreign policy, including its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
As a result, relations between the two governments have come under increasing pressure.
South Africa responds
South Africa has rejected the US government’s description of its policies.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has raised concerns about what it says are inaccurate claims about South Africa’s domestic policies.
The department says the two countries should deal with their differences through diplomatic engagement.
South Africa has also defended its land reform programme. The government says the programme seeks to address the effects of apartheid and the country’s unequal land ownership.
Who could be affected?
At this stage, there is no official list of affected South Africans.
Therefore, names should not be attached to the new restrictions without confirmation from the US government.
The policy focuses on foreign nationals whom Washington says are involved in the activities outlined in its announcement.
Certain family members could also face restrictions.
What happens next?
The latest announcement adds another point of disagreement between Washington and Pretoria.
Meanwhile, South Africa has called for continued diplomatic engagement.
For ordinary South Africans, the key point is that the announcement does not amount to a blanket visa ban on South African citizens.
ECNewsLive will continue to follow the developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
