Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' 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 Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously 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 Speech Ignites Dispute

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

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

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''.

Government Responds Publicly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Diplomatic Tensions

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides 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 white minority and denouncing 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 widely discredited 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.