The US has imposed visa restrictions on some South African officials, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Pretoria has failed to address US concerns over racial inequality and alleged anti-white discrimination.
Key facts
- The US announced visa restrictions targeting some South African officials.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said South Africa has not addressed US concerns over racial inequality.
- The announcement did not specify which individuals were barred.
- The move follows what the Guardian describes as Trump's repeated, false claims of a 'white genocide' in South Africa.
The United States has announced visa restrictions on some South African officials, accusing them of being behind discrimination against white people and other minority groups. The measure was reported by the BBC, Sky News and the Guardian on 16 September 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said South Africa had not addressed US concerns over racial inequality, according to the BBC. Sky News reported that the travel ban targets officials the US claims are responsible for discrimination against white people and other minority groups.
The Guardian reported that the announcement did not specify which individuals were barred from entering the US. The restrictions come as Donald Trump’s administration continues to claim that South Africa’s government racially discriminates against its white minority Afrikaner population.
According to the Guardian, Trump has spent his second term making claims the outlet describes as false that a ‘white genocide’ is taking place in South Africa, while also criticising the country’s affirmative action policies.
The reports did not include a response from the South African government, and the outlets did not name any officials affected by the new visa measures.
Why it matters
The visa restrictions mark a further escalation in tensions between Washington and Pretoria over race and domestic policy. The reported measures stem from claims the Guardian describes as false, and the sources do not include a South African government response.
Frequently asked questions
Who is affected by the US visa restrictions?
The US announced restrictions on some South African officials, but according to the Guardian the announcement did not specify which individuals were barred.
Why did the US impose these restrictions?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said South Africa had not addressed US concerns over racial inequality, and the US claims some officials are behind discrimination against white people and other minority groups.
What has Trump claimed about South Africa?
According to the Guardian, Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed there is a 'white genocide' in South Africa and has criticised the country's affirmative action policies.