Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The South African government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations concerning an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.
Business Meeting Address Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town 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 taken as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system.
He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.
Officials Reacts Publicly
At a press conference 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 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.
Wider Diplomatic Strains
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.
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 redistribution plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.
Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.