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

The Pretoria government has summoned the new US ambassador following he made what they described as ''unacceptable'' comments regarding an historical chant.

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

A official objection – 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 later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Ignites Dispute

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

One involved the argument over the chant. Bozell stated he did not care what the courts said – words that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's legal system.

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

Officials Responds Publicly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola noted 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 senior official of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Wider Bilateral Strains

Ties between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump assumed the presidency last year, with the two sides disagreeing on 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 failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, 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 are not supported by credible proof.

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