Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.
A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.
Business Meeting Speech Ignites Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.
One centered on 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 ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' 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. ''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
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations 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 failing to protect the country's minority white population and criticising its land reform 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 deepened last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.