US limits visas for South African officials over alleged anti-white discrimination

The US has announced visa restrictions targeting people it accuses of discriminating against South Africa's white minority, in the latest escalation of tensions between the two countries.

The Trump administration has criticised South Africa over several issues, including policies aimed at addressing racial inequality that it says discriminate against Afrikaners, descendants mainly of Dutch and French settlers.

"The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid ​out concerns," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the restrictions on Tuesday.

He said the visa restrictions would target those who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa."

Rubio did not immediately name any individuals targeted by the restrictions.

Relations between the two countries have been on a downward spiral since President Donald Trump returned to office early last year, with the US leader cutting aid, expelling the South African ambassador and offering "refuge" to white South Africans fleeing "persecution."

But the South African government has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is persecuting white people or confiscating their land.

It said claims of a white genocide had been widely discredited and lacked reliable evidence .