New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments

The South African government has called in the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations regarding an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. 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 diplomatic note – was lodged 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 later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments.

Forum Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting 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 disrespect for the country's judiciary.

He later retreated his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.

Government Responds Publicly

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 added that the relationship 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 Bilateral Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy 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 criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide 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.