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

The South African government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has previously determined 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 issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Forum Speech Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

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

He later retreated his position, 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 Openly

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

''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Diplomatic Strains

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 trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

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

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

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