New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. 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 issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining 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 – comments that were interpreted as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

He later retreated 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''.

Officials Reacts Openly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks.

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

Broader Bilateral Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and denouncing its land reform 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 are not supported by credible proof.

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