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The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes a decision taken by the government of the United States of America (USA) to impose new visa restrictions on South Africans responsible for, or complicit in, the enactment or implementation of laws or policies that enable land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, or the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa.

While the DA remains a party that respects the sovereignty of nations in foreign affairs, and the right of democratic countries to determine their own laws, there is no denying that many of the policies drafted and passed by the African National Congress (ANC), to which the USA makes reference, have not served the South African public or achieved their desired outcome. This is true, and has been true, long before the advent of the Trump administration.

Earlier this month, news broke that South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had again shrunk by 0,2%, a development that analysts described as a reality check, but one that the ANC refuses to acknowledge. It is for this reason that DA Federal Leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has made a number of written requests to the president demanding an urgent policy overhaul for economic reform.

In early August this year, the DA approached the constitutional court to have the Expropriation Act overturned as a procedurally flawed piece of legislation and one which remains incompatible with the right to private property as outlined in section 25 of the constitution.

In May this year, the DA introduced the Economic Inclusion for All Bill to parliament as a credible alternative to the ANC’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act. We believe that economic justice can and must be achieved by legislation that removes the race-based criteria for access to opportunity in South Africa that the ANC has only systemically abused over decades to enrich itself.

Furthermore, the DA has repeatedly advocated for a reform to the South African Police Service (SAPS) including the devolution of policing powers for stronger and more localised competence, and greater investment into resources and investigative capacity. The recent spate of violent feminicide in Ekurhuleni is further proof that these reforms are long overdue despite President Ramaphosa’s repeated pledges to act against the problem with little to no effect.

South Africans of all races know and understand that South Africa’s current policy suite under the ANC does not, and has not served the majority of our country for decades. South Africans want a non-racial country and government that puts the needs of all South Africans first regardless of race.

A shrinking economy, growing unemployment, and endemic crime are reason enough for any country to address its own domestic policy failures regardless of what other international actors may claim. The ANC cannot continue to expect South Africans to believe that any of its laws have made our country and our society more equal and more prosperous. We do not need any other country to hold a mirror to our face – we can see the effects of failed domestic policy for ourselves.

The ANC does not need to be told by the USA that its policies are failing, it only needs to look at its plummeting electoral support as more and more South Africans reject its policies and governance that have repeatedly failed us all. We have a strong democracy and strong institutions. The ANC does not need visa restrictions – it will face its own consequences at the South African ballot box later this year where the South African public will mete out its own consequences.

Issued by DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith