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 ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed 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, although the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.
Forum Address Ignites Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system.
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''.
Government Reacts Openly
At a media briefing 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 added 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Broader Diplomatic Strains
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans.
The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.
Frictions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
