Recently Appointed 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 concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to 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 viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

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

One centered on the argument 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 ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Government Reacts Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest undiplomatic 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.

Broader Diplomatic Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

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

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.

Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.