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

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

Leo Brent Bozell III, who assumed the role last month, caused offence by disagreeing with a court decision about the chant ''Kill The Boer''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the highest court has previously determined that it does not.

A official objection – known as a diplomatic note – 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 representative of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Business Meeting Speech Sparks Dispute

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

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating 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 ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Government Reacts Openly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the partnership between South Africa and the US was mutual. ''Substantial South African capital is invested in the US economy'', 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 Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides clashing over commerce, diplomacy 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 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 widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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