Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Undiplomatic'' Comments

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role in recent weeks, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A formal protest – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He provided a statement on Wednesday, and a representative of the foreign ministry subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa required addressing.

One involved the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were interpreted as showing a lack of regard for the country's judiciary.

He later retreated his position, saying he was ''willing to work with South Africa constructively'' and that ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.

Officials Reacts Openly

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

''Mr Bozell expressed his regrets that these comments detracted from any impression that he wanted to work with us constructively'', stated Zane Dangor, the director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Tensions

Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's minority white population and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, in turn, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been largely debunked and are not supported by credible proof.

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