New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments
The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' observations 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 Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – 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 official of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.
Business Meeting Speech Ignites Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort 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 taken as showing a lack of regard 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 ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.
Officials Responds Openly
At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced 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. ''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.
Wider Bilateral Tensions
Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
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 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 targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.
Tensions deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
