US to bar some South Africans over claims of anti-white discrimination

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on officials it accuses of discriminating against South Africa's white minority, escalating tensions between the two nations. Critics say policies aimed at addressing racial inequality unfairly target Afrikaners, descendants mainly of Dutch and French settlers. South Africa has denied these claims repeatedly.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the restrictions will target individuals promoting "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation." He did not specify any individuals. Relations between the US and South Africa deteriorated after President Donald Trump took office, with the US cutting aid, expelling the South African ambassador, and offering refuge to white South Africans fleeing alleged persecution.

However, South Africa has rejected these allegations, stating claims of a white genocide are discredited. The US recently offered Afrikaners refugee status after a law allowing the government to seize land without compensation was passed. Land ownership remains a contentious issue in South Africa, where most private farmland is owned by white South Africans despite them making up less than 10% of the population.

Rubio accused the South African government of pursuing racial grievances against Afrikaners, saying those responsible "have no place in the United States." The US embassy in Pretoria warned that the visa restrictions are the beginning of tougher measures and that dialogue with South Africa had reached an end.