New US Ambassador to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed 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, 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 ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.

Forum Address Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

One centered on 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 judiciary.

He later retreated 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''.

Officials Responds Publicly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest inappropriate 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.

''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Diplomatic Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's minority white population and criticising its land redistribution plans.

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

Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.