New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not.

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

He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's judiciary.

He subsequently walked back his position, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.

Government Responds Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned 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 not one-sided. ''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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.

Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.