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

The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments 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 previously determined 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 department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.

Forum Address Sparks 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 involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as showing a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' 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 declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Bilateral Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's minority white population and criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.