Recently Appointed US Envoy to South Africa Called In Over ''Inappropriate'' Remarks

The South African government has summoned the recently arrived US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''unacceptable'' observations regarding an anti-apartheid chant.

Leo Brent Bozell III, who began the role in recent weeks, sparked controversy by questioning a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Certain groups claim the chant constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has previously determined that it does not.

A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – was issued by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the foreign ministry later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Forum Speech Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell addressed a business meeting in the coastal town of Hermanus, presenting five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

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

He subsequently walked back 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''.

Government Reacts Publicly

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 partnership 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Diplomatic Tensions

Ties between the US and South Africa have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two sides clashing over trade, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, charging it with failing to protect the country's white minority 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 claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

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