New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The Pretoria government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.
Forum Speech Ignites Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as demonstrating a disrespect 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 Reacts Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Broader Bilateral Tensions
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, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.
Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's minority white population and criticising 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 targeted persecution have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.
Tensions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.