South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said the government was concerned by the restrictions announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arguing that Pretoria's policies are designed to address inequalities created by centuries of racial injustice.
“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,” Minister Ronald Lamola said.
Lamola added that “The people of South Africa respect the right of the American people to develop laws to address their own conditions, and we expect the people of South Africa to be afforded the same respect that our sovereignty demands.”
The US has not named the individuals affected.
Rubio said the restrictions target foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in policies involving uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.
