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 regarding an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He issued 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 business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's judiciary.

He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.

Officials Reacts Publicly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate 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.

''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general 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 sides disagreeing on trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority 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 allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

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