New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks
The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.
Forum Speech Ignites Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect 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 media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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.
Wider Diplomatic Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, 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 denouncing its land reform plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.
Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
