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

The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador after he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, sparked controversy by disagreeing with a legal ruling about the chant ''Kill The Farmer''. Some argue 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 provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had conveyed remorse and apologised for the remarks.

Business Meeting Speech Ignites Controversy

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

One involved the debate 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 legal system.

He subsequently walked back 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 Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to explain his recent inappropriate 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 Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's international alliances.

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 denouncing its land redistribution 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.

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