New US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments
The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' comments regarding an anti-apartheid chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not.
A official objection – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.
He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.
Business Meeting Address Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.
One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.
He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' 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 declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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
Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy 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 minority white population and criticising its land reform plans.
The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.
Tensions intensified last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
