🔗 Share this article New US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments Bozell's statements about a divisive racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, caused offence by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A official objection – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments. Forum Address Sparks Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating 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 ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''. Officials Responds Publicly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, 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 white minority and criticising 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 white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.
Bozell's statements about a divisive racial issue have been criticised as ''undiplomatic'' by the authorities. The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' comments concerning an historical chant. Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, caused offence by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, even though the Constitutional Court has ruled previously that it does not. A official objection – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''. He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments. Forum Address Sparks Controversy On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing. One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating 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 ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''. Officials Responds Publicly At a press conference on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had summoned the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his latest inappropriate remarks. Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the relationship 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Broader Diplomatic Tensions Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two nations disagreeing on trade, 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 white minority and criticising 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 white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof. Frictions intensified last year when the US levied the highest tariffs of any African country on South Africa.