New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks

The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning 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 highest 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 ''with a very dim view''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.

Forum Speech Sparks Controversy

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

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

He subsequently walked back his position, 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 Reacts Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added 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.

''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 Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy 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 denouncing 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 white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

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