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

The South African government has called in the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations regarding an historical chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, caused offence by questioning a legal ruling 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 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 clarification on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.

Forum Speech Sparks Controversy

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a corporate forum in the seaside resort 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 – comments that were interpreted as showing a disrespect 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 ''Washington honors the autonomy of South Africa's courts''.

Officials Reacts Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government announced they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his latest undiplomatic remarks.

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Strains

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

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with not safeguarding the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a targeted persecution have been largely debunked and lack reliable evidence.

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