South Africa rejects US sanctions plan over Afrikaner discrimination claims
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South Africa on Wednesday rejected planned US sanctions over alleged discrimination against white Afrikaners, calling the claims misinformation from fringe groups. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said the country remains committed to constitutional processes and the rule of law. The response follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement of visa restrictions for South Africans involved in race-based discrimination.
Key Facts
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday a new policy restricting visas for individuals responsible for race-based discrimination against white Afrikaners in South Africa.
- South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the sanctions stem from mischaracterisations promoted by fringe groups.
- A 2017 South African government report found whites, about 7 percent of the population, owned 72 percent of individually owned farmland.
- South Africa passed a law in 2025 allowing expropriation of land, including in limited cases without compensation.
US Sanctions Announcement
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday that Washington would enact a new policy aimed at South Africans involved in race-based discrimination against white Afrikaners. Rubio said the US would restrict visas for individuals responsible for or complicit in laws enabling uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or incitement of violence against minority groups. The Trump administration has allowed white Afrikaners to receive asylum in the US and last year froze most foreign assistance to South Africa.
South African Response
South African Minister Ronald Lamola said the sanctions result from mischaracterisations promoted by fringe groups. Lamola stated the country remains committed to addressing challenges through constitutional institutions, democratic processes, and the rule of law. The South African government says claims of government-backed discrimination and violent attacks against Afrikaners are misinformation.
Land Ownership and Expropriation Law
Afrikaners are a minority in South Africa descending from mostly Dutch colonial settlers who formalised apartheid, which persisted until 1994. A 2017 government report found whites, about 7 percent of the population, owned 72 percent of individually owned farmland. South Africa has undertaken programmes to buy and redistribute land, and in 2025 passed a law allowing expropriation, including in limited cases without compensation. US President Trump has been lobbied by Afrikaner groups decrying that law and alleging government-backed discrimination and violent attacks.
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