Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Summoned Over ''Inappropriate'' Comments

The South African government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''undiplomatic'' comments concerning an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although 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 ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.

Forum Speech Ignites Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a corporate forum in the coastal town of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were interpreted as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

He later retreated his position, 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''.

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 undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, foreign policy 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 give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.

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