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 termed as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged 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 foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the comments.

Forum Speech Ignites Dispute

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

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's legal system.

He subsequently walked back his stance, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Government Responds Publicly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', 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.

Wider Diplomatic Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on trade, 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 white minority and denouncing its land reform plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

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