New US Ambassador to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy

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

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect 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''.

Government Reacts Openly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

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 criticising its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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