New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks
The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an anti-apartheid chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged 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 subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.
Business Meeting Address Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.
He subsequently walked back 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 Responds Publicly
At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Broader Diplomatic Tensions
Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.
Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.