ANC slams possible sanctions against its leaders

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri described the proposed sanctions against some of the party’s leaders by the United States as a mockery and embarrassment.

Motsiri’s comments followed United States Congressman Ronny Jackson’s Bill that could see the US President impose sanctions on South African government officials and ANC leaders.

The Bill recently passed through the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees of the US House of Representatives.

Although there is still a long road ahead before it becomes law, it would mandate a full review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa.

Jackson’s office explained that this Bill, called the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, would help advance US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda.

It gives the US President the tools necessary to impose sanctions on “corrupt South African government officials who choose to support America’s adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran”.

“South Africa has brazenly abandoned its relationship with the United States to align with China, Russia, Iran, and terrorist organisations,” Jackson said.

He added that South Africa’s actions in this regard are a betrayal of the United States that demands serious consequences.

“This legislation ensures we conduct a comprehensive review of this supposed ‘ally’ while also holding accountable any corrupt officials,” he said.

Bhengu-Motsiri responded to this bill, saying targeted sanctions against the ANC and its leaders, which led the freedom struggle, are a mockery and an embarrassment.

“We will calmly have to sit down and have a reflection on the implications of the proposed bill,” she said in an ENCA interview.

She added that they are in contact with many of the ANC’s allies resident in the United States who were active in the fight against Apartheid in South Africa.

She added that it is misguided to charge ANC leaders with extremism. “Anyone who has an ounce of credibility has never associated the ANC with extremism,” she said.

Bhengu-Motsiri added that the party was founded precisely to fight against Apartheid and right-wing extremism.

She added that there are numerous examples of the party fighting against extremism both internationally and domestically.

She further claimed that the bill is a product of a very nefarious propaganda campaign led by right-wing extremist organisations in South Africa.