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

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, even though the highest court has previously determined 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 issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town 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 – comments that were interpreted as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.

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 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 recent inappropriate remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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.

Wider Diplomatic Tensions

Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy 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 white minority and denouncing its land reform plans.

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

Tensions intensified last year when the US levied the most severe import duties of any African country on South Africa.