New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations regarding an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.

Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system.

He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Officials Reacts Openly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said.

''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Diplomatic Tensions

Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.