New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The South African government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.
Forum Speech Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary.
He later retreated his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.
Officials Responds Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent undiplomatic remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said.
''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Broader Diplomatic Strains
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.
Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
