Recently Appointed US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The Pretoria government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.

A formal protest – 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 official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.

He subsequently walked back his stance, 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 Reacts 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 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 Bilateral Tensions

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

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