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

The Pretoria government has called in the new US ambassador following he made what they termed as ''undiplomatic'' observations concerning an anti-apartheid 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''. Some argue the chant constitutes hate speech, although the Constitutional Court has previously determined 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 statement on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had expressed regret and said sorry for the comments.

Business Meeting Address Ignites Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the coastal town 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 – words that were taken as demonstrating a disrespect for the country's judiciary.

He later retreated his stance, saying he was ''ready to engage with South Africa in a positive manner'' and that ''the US government respects the independence of South Africa's judiciary''.

Officials Responds Openly

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

Minister Ronald Lamola noted that the partnership 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.

Wider Diplomatic 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 trade, foreign policy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been openly critical of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's minority white population 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 claims of a targeted persecution have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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