News24 | US revokes Nota Baloyi’s visa over post that ‘celebrated’ assassination of Charlie Kirk

The US Department of State has revoked the visa of South African music executive Nota Baloyi, after he posted about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

• The United States Department of State has revoked the visa of South African music executive Nota Baloyi.
• The action comes after Baloyi posted in support of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
• Baloyi believes he was targeted and that the department’s response is a form of censorship.

The US Department of State has revoked the visa of South African music executive Nota Baloyi, after he posted about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

In an X post, the department listed a series of tweets from foreigners in the US who had supported the assassination, saying “the United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans”.

“The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Here are just a few examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the US.”

With a screenshot of Baloyi’s post, in which his identity and handle had been protected, the department said: “A South African national mocked Americans grieving the loss of Kirk, saying ‘they’re hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom’ and alleging ‘he was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash’. Visa revoked.”

Baloyi has since removed the post, but has reshared posts identifying himself as the author.

The post, made last month, said: “Neanderthals can’t have their cake & eat it... This weekend, they went openly anti-black racist & now they’re hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom? Charlie Kirk won’t be remembered as a hero. He was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash!”

Baloyi confirmed that he had received an email notifying him that his visa has been revoked on Friday.

“At that point, I did not know what the reason was. Now that I’ve got the reasons why, I’m relieved that that’s all it was,” he said.

“It’s completely unreasonable and is a complete violation of the First Amendment. I do think that I was targeted.”

Baloyi added that the post “only garnered 10 comments” since it was posted on 11 September.

He is currently in South Africa, and only intends to travel again next year, saying his visa being revoked is unlikely to hamper his plans. Baloyi added that he did have the option to reapply for a visa should he wish to visit the US.

He has also since issued an apology on X.

“I have noted the reactions and response of no more than 10 comments to a post, which I feel were prompted by the state department’s announcement that they would be revoking VISA of people who we reported to have made light of the incident. That allegation I categorically deny as neither intended nor implied. The post has been deleted,” he posted.

Baloyi said he denounced political violence, adding that he had “fled being a victim of such in my home country”.

“I’m an advocate for free speech, much like Charlie Kirk was famous for, and as a Christian with conservative leanings, I am a supporter of President Trump. A first day Trump-er. If I were a US citizen I would’ve voted Trump in 2016, 2020, 2024 & possibly even in 2028 if the constitutional amendment necessary for that was passed. That said, I do not always agree with either Charlie Kirk nor Donald Trump, which is my I disagree with this decision. I have faith that with due process this can be reviewed and rescinded,” he said.

News24 had not received a response from the US Embassy at the time of publication. It will be added once received.

Baloyi was in the news two years ago after reportedly posting information allegedly implicating rapper Ntokozo “K.O” Mdluli and his brother Siya Mdluli in the killing of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, according to Cape Argus.

Siya reportedly worked as AKA’s road manager and was allegedly present on the night of his killing. An interdict was issued against Baloyi to prevent the posts.

Baloyi said that, around this time, he had received “credible threats” against his life, and that he had only returned to South Africa once his “intelligence sources” had given him the all clear.

He added: “Of course, there are things that one is not free to say online. The curtailing of my free speech is something that I find objectionable. I believe that in this instance as well, I’ve been unfairly targeted. There are many more of what would be perceived as offensive posts that people complained about,” he said.