New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments
The South African government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest 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 ''very unfavorably''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.
Forum Speech Sparks 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 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 ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.
Government Reacts Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Wider Bilateral Strains
Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans.
The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide 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.
