New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an anti-apartheid chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.
A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the comments.
Forum Address Sparks Controversy
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 taken as showing a disrespect for the country's legal system.
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''.
Government Reacts Publicly
At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''South African companies maintain a significant investment in the United States'', Lamola said.
''The ambassador conveyed his regret that his statements undermined the constructive partnership he seeks'', 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 after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's minority white population and criticising 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 white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.
Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
