New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A official objection – known as a demarche – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.

He subsequently walked back 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''.

Officials Responds Openly

At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for 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 deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

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

The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

Frictions deepened last year when the US imposed the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.