Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning 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 lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Forum Speech Sparks Dispute

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

One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's legal system.

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 Reacts Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned 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.

''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 Diplomatic Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

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

The South African government, in turn, 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 lack reliable evidence.

Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.