Cape Town – A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Joshua Meservey, has proposed that the US take a more aggressive stance against South Africa’s government due to its perceived anti-US policies.
This recommendation comes after diplomatic tensions between the two nations escalated due to South Africa’s positions on land reform, its growing proximity to China, and its recent involvement in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel over its actions in Gaza.
Meservey suggests targeting specific ANC officials with visa bans and sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, citing corruption and human rights abuses.
His report, published by the Hudson Institute, describes the ANC as “one of Africa’s most corrupt organisations” responsible for human rights violations.
“The US has a suite of relevant tools including visa bans and sanctions — and South Africa is a target-rich environment. The ANC is one of Africa’s most corrupt organisations.
Washington must confront South Africa’s @MYANC over its open provocations. Failing to do so has emboldened the ANC and guarantees future antagonism that will lead to a total breakdown in the relationship. That would be negative for the US given SA’s strategic location, American…
— Joshua Meservey (@JMeservey) March 4, 2025
“Additionally, Washington has determined that the government has not adequately addressed human rights violations, making specific ANC officials easy pickings for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, which targets corruption and human rights abuses,” Meservey says.
He argues that this approach would deter further anti-US actions, particularly in light of South Africa’s stance on land reform, its ties with China, and its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) .
Some within South African society & government are strongly pro-American & locked in a power struggle with the anti-American elements. Here’s the leader of one pro-American faction recently speaking in parliament. US policy should focus on supporting our friends & marginalizing… pic.twitter.com/ZHzbQbWmu6
— Joshua Meservey (@JMeservey) March 10, 2025
The report underscores South Africa’s strategic importance, noting its economic dominance in the region and the presence of 600 US companies. It also suggests investigating ANC officials’ links to Russian oligarchs and terrorist financing.
“Furthermore, a little digging may reveal links between specific ANC officials and sanctioned Russian oligarchs. It is a matter of public record that the ANC accepted funds from one such oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, making officials involved in that process vulnerable to secondary sanctions.”
