New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments
The Pretoria 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 in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the comments.
Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked 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 later retreated his stance, 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 Reacts Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent undiplomatic remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said.
''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Wider Bilateral Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, 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 criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.
Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
