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

The South African government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations regarding an anti-apartheid 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 diplomatic note – was lodged by the government, which stated it viewed Bozell's comments ''with a very dim view''.

He provided a clarification on Wednesday, and a representative of the department of international relations subsequently stated the ambassador had expressed regret and apologised for the comments.

Forum Address Ignites Controversy

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

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell remarked he did not care what the courts said – comments that were taken as demonstrating a lack of regard for the country's legal system.

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''.

Officials Responds Openly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola added that the relationship between South Africa and the US was not one-sided. ''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.

Broader Bilateral Tensions

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured after US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations clashing over commerce, foreign policy and South Africa's international alliances.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of not safeguarding the country's white minority and denouncing its land redistribution plans.

The South African government, meanwhile, has condemned the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence.

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