South Africa pushes back on U.S. visa curbs, urges dialogue

South Africa's foreign ministry said it has noted with concern the visa restrictions imposed by the United States on certain individuals from the country, a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures.

In a statement, the ministry said the U.S. move was consistent with what it described as the mischaracterisation of South Africa's domestic policies by fringe groups. It reiterated that difficulties in the bilateral relationship can be addressed only through constructive engagement between state actors on both sides, not through unilateral steps.

The restrictions follow repeated criticism of South Africa by President Donald Trump since the start of his second term. He has claimed, without basis, that the country's white minority faces racial persecution, pointing to affirmative action laws intended to redress inequality that has endured since apartheid.

It remains unclear who will be affected by the new visa measures. The U.S. ambassador to South Africa said in a post on X earlier on Wednesday that the restrictions were "only the first step in a series of escalatory measures".

The exchange marks a further strain in ties between Washington and Pretoria, with South Africa pressing for dialogue through diplomatic channels.