New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks
The Pretoria government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision 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 official objection – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed 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 comments.
Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining 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 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 ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.
Government Reacts Publicly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land reform plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned 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 deepened last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
