US sanctions on ANC officials 'inevitable'

The ongoing dispute between the US and South Africa will continue for the next three years of the Trump administration, analysts say.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

While it is getting uglier with both countries' chief diplomats, Marco Rubio and Ronald Lamola, exchanging strong words, experts believe it cannot get to the stage of no return because the two nations need each other and Donald Trump would be wary of giving his opponents ammunition for future polls.

But the US president could impose targeted sanctions and a visa ban against certain ANC members and individuals who took a strong anti-Israel stand on Gaza.

They include former international relations and cooperation minister Naledi Pandor, former SA ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool and even EFF leader Julius Malema.