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

The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A official objection – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

He later retreated 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''.

Officials Responds Publicly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Bilateral Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency 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 minority white population and criticising its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

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