Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks

The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning 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 Farmer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional 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 ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Ignites Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a disrespect for the country's judiciary.

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''.

Government Responds Publicly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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