🔗 Share this article Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's statements about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided 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 Speech Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing 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''. Government Reacts Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned 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. Wider Bilateral Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical 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 prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's statements about a divisive societal issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the highest court has ruled previously that it does not. A formal protest – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''. He provided 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 Speech Sparks Dispute On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One centered on the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as showing 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''. Government Reacts Openly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned 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. Wider Bilateral Tensions Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances. Trump has been openly critical 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 prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.