'US bill targeting ANC leaders likely to pass'

A FORMER South African ambassador and seasoned diplomat believes the controversial bill introduced in the United States Congress, seeking to review relations with South Africa and to impose sanctions on some leaders of the ANC, will pass.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

IOL reported on Wednesday that a bill which seeks to reevaluate the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa, and identify government leaders who should be subject to sanctions, was passed by a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs this week.

The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was introduced in April by Ronny Jackson, a congressman from Texas. The bill, to become a law, will need to be approved by the House and Senate before being signed by President Donald Trump.

The bill accuses South Africa of undermining the US’ interests by maintaining close relationships with the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, nations that are Pretoria’s strong allies and key trading partners.

Former South African ambassador to Portugal, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, on Thursday told Newzroom Afrika that the Democrats have the numbers, and they might even get support from some Republicans.