Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to 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 took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.

Forum Address Ignites Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One centered on the argument 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 legal system.

He later retreated his stance, 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 announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership 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 Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since 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, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing 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 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.