He explained that the US is not limited to imposing individual visa restrictions on the country but could also impose financial penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s not only visa restrictions that they can implement, it can be all sorts of financial restrictions, and they can pressure other countries to join in sanctioning these individuals,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US recently imposed visa restrictions<\/a> on individual South Africans who it believed were involved in policies such as BBBEE or land expropriation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The restrictions apply to “foreign nationals who are responsible for, or complicit in, the enactment or implementation of laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and\/or the incitement of imminent violence against members of minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n “These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America\u2019s foreign policy, said US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt said there was a silver lining to the visa restrictions, as they were only against specific individuals and did not punish the entire country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Fortunately for us, it’s targeted sanctions, which means that certain individuals will be affected, and not the whole country,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said foreign involvement in South Africa’s government was not a good thing, believing that if there is a problem, the ruling party should be voted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “If you don’t like your government… then vote them out,” he said. “That is gradually what is happening, and I don’t think one country should meddle in the affairs of another country.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Africa’s leading party, the ANC, has seen its support dwindle in recent years, resulting in a coalition government in the last national election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many expect this decline in support to continue in the upcoming local elections, where polls predict coalition governments for several major metros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his statement, Rubio said the visa restrictions would apply to individuals but did not specify who would be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US has previously revoked visas for South Africans, such as former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, in November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This came after Pandor was vocally against political decisions in the US and condemned the country for supporting Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time, Pandor said that she did not know why her visa was revoked, but alleged that a lobby group had urged US officials to deny her entry into the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While current visa restrictions do not affect most South Africans, there are concerns about future actions by the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concerns were sparked after the US’s ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, said that further action was on the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a tweet shortly after the visa restrictions announcement, Bozell said, “This visa restriction policy is only the first step in a series of escalatory measures that will show America\u2019s firm resolve in this matter.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The time for endless \u2018dialogue\u2019 has run its course. No more. America has just so much patience. We want strong, and lasting relations with the South African government.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bozell’s comments came after he had outlined five “asks” to South Africa regarding BEE and land expropriation policies, as well as the country’s response to farm attacks in March 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rubio also said that South Africa had been slow to respond to America’s demands, leading to the visa restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTension between countries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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