New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Undiplomatic'' Remarks
The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an historical chant.
Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not.
A formal protest – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.
He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.
Forum Address Ignites 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 remarked he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's legal system.
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''.
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 recent inappropriate remarks.
Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Wider Diplomatic Tensions
Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.
Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's minority white population and criticising its land redistribution plans.
The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.
Tensions deepened last year when the US imposed the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.
