New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks
The South African government has called in the new US ambassador after he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.
A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.
Business Meeting Address Ignites Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.
One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.
He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.
Officials Responds Publicly
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 added 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 deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans.
The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.
Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
