SA Visa restrictions suspicious ahead of US midterm elections - Analyst
SA Visa restrictions suspicious ahead of US midterm elections - Analyst bombeleni_temp Wed, 09/16/2026 - 12:13 File: US President Donald Trump welcomes South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the White House in Washington, DC. JOHANNESBURG - It is intriguing that the US visa ban announcement on South Africa comes two months before the country's midterm elections. This is according International Relations Expert Brooks Spector. Even more intriguing, he said, is Afrikaner groups like Lex Libert
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SA Visa restrictions suspicious ahead of US midterm elections - Analyst bombeleni_temp Wed, 09/16/2026 - 12:13
File: US President Donald Trump welcomes South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the White House in Washington, DC.
JOHANNESBURG - It is intriguing that the US visa ban announcement on South Africa comes two months before the country's midterm elections.
This is according International Relations Expert Brooks Spector. Even more intriguing, he said, is Afrikaner groups like Lex Libertas and their presentations in Washington DC.
"The Republican Party is in some difficulties," he said.
READ: 'Broader attack': Analyst warns of escalating US pressure on South Africa
On Tuesday, the US announced new visa restrictions targeting certain foreign nationals linked to what Washington describes as race-based discrimination, incitement of violence and uncompensated land seizures in South Africa.
The Trump administration has again raised allegations of government-sponsored discrimination against Afrikaners and concerns over land expropriation in South Africa.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions were intended to “address the egregious actions of the Republic of South Africa”.
Spector said every country has the right stipulate its own visa rules. In the same breath, however, the rules must be clear, consistent and are rooted in reality.
Ernst Roets said his organisation, Lex Libertas, will mount 3,000 white crosses on the US National Mall. The crosses will have the names of victims of farm attacks.
They will also be flighting a documentary and have three farm attack victims speak at a conference they will be hosting on 25 September.
Spector said it is questionable why Trump's government would go through all this trouble, including the White Cross Project, ahead of their midterm elections also in November.
READ: US imposes visa curbs on SA over 'race-based discrimination'
"There is no clear definition of how one would judge a visa applicant.
"While South Africa and the US have serious disagreements on a number of issues, this cannot be the way the countries solve it," said Spector.
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About this article
- Length
- 340 words · 2 min read
- Published
- September 16, 2026
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- bombeleni_temp
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- Enca