New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks
The Pretoria government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a court decision 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 diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the remarks.
Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.
One involved the debate 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 judiciary.
He later retreated 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 Openly
At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called 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. ''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.
Broader Bilateral Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans.
The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.
Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
