South Africa rejects US visa restrictions over race policies
South Africa rejects US visa restrictions over race policies. News PoliticsMinister Lamola pushes back against new US visa restrictionsHope Ntanzi|Published 1 hour agoAsk AI 3minInternational Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has pushed back against new US visa restrictions targeting South Africans linked to policies Washington says enable race-based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures.
What happened
Image: DIRCOZA/ X South Africa has pushed back against new US visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals linked to policies Washington says enable race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures and the incitement of violence against minority groups. International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola said he had noted the restrictions “with concern”, accusing fringe groups of misrepresenting South Africa’s domestic policies and portraying themselves as representatives of minorities and Afrikaners. The policy targets foreign nationals who the US says are responsible for, or complicit in, enacting or implementing laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.
The dispute is the latest front in a broader clash over race, trade and diplomacy that has seen Washington cut aid, impose tariffs, expel South Africa's ambassador and boycott a G20 summit in Johannesburg, all against the unresolved legacy of white minority rule. “The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns and so today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy,” he said. SA calls for diplomatic engagementLamola said South Africa respected the United States’ right to hold different views on its policies, but expected the same respect for its sovereignty.
"He also rejected the suggestion that South Africa’s approach to crime targeted people based on race, colour or social origin.
The wider picture
“The South African government remains seized with the challenges of crime in South Africa which affects everyone and is not targeting anyone based on their race, colour, or social origin. Rubio said the South African government had failed to adequately address Washington’s concerns. Lamola defends South Africa’s lawsLamola said South Africa remained committed to addressing the injustices of the past through its constitutional and democratic framework. “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. ” He said South Africa had a sovereign right to introduce legislation addressing the legacy of racial injustice.
This is consistent with other countries who have a similar experience to South Africa. ”Lamola also pointed to the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023, saying it provided a legal framework for addressing hate speech and prosecuting hate crimes. “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.
"Lamola said ongoing bilateral discussions between South Africa and the US showed the importance both countries placed on 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,” he said.
What has been reported
Rubio, meanwhile, urged South Africa to address Washington’s concerns. “We once again strongly urge the South African government to quickly address these egregious actions,” Rubio said. hope. ntanzi. iol. co. zaIOL PoliticsGet your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS nowAsk AIRelated Topics:ronald lamolamarco rubiodircoland restitutionwhite genocideThursday, September 17, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport News OpinionA working streetlight: the new symbol of a 'caring' government in South AfricaMegan Mannion|Published 3 minutes agoAsk AI 11minThousands of Khayelitsha residents queue in line at the Kuwait taxi rank in Site C.
Researcher Megan Mannion argues that the City of Cape Town cannot claim to be the best-run municipality in South Africa when inequality persists as 'wealthy residents can buy distance from public failure; poor residents cannot'. The more closely I have examined Cape Town, the more difficult I have found its reputation as South Africa’s model city to defend. It is an argument that its governance should be judged against the constitutional and democratic obligations that South Africa actually imposed upon its cities.
Ask AIRelated Topics:city of cape towngeordin hill lewisinequalityapartheid spatial planningThursday, September 17, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport
What happens next
Discover the surprising origins of Mrs Balls' chutney, a staple in South African kitchens. From remote mountain camps to wild coastal escapes, these off-the-grid getaways in South Africa offer quiet, dramatic scenery and a genuine break from everyday life. Image: Itumeleng English/ANA Studio, SihleMlambo/IOL, Gemini The discovery of the bodies of women, who tend to be in their late 20s and 30s, has highlighted the plight women face with gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
Cachalia added that it was perhaps a time to reflect for the people of South Africa. Police said the body had been found in the Kaalspruit River, which runs behind the Mall of Thembisa. 'What have we become as South Africans? ' IOL journalist Kamogelo Moichela spoke with community leaders about the grim discovery on Tuesday. "And then we came here, and we were appalled by what is happening in South Africa. IOL NewsAsk AIRelated Topics:murdersapssa police servicekempton park killingscrime and courtsfemicideThursday, September 17, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across iol.co.za. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.