New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments
The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid 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 constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.
A official objection – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.
Business Meeting Speech Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary.
He subsequently walked back his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.
Government Responds Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Broader Bilateral Strains
Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy 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 criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.
Frictions deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
