Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In 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 anti-apartheid chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.
A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the comments.
Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting 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 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 Openly
At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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.
Wider Bilateral Tensions
Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on 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 denouncing its land redistribution plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution 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.