New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.

Forum Address Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

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''.

Government Responds Openly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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.

Wider Diplomatic Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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