Recently Appointed US Ambassador 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 ''unacceptable'' observations concerning 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''. Some argue the chant amounts to hate speech, although the highest court has ruled previously that it does not.

A official objection – known as a demarche – was lodged by the government, which stated it took Bozell's comments ''very unfavorably''.

He issued a statement on Wednesday, and a official of the department of international relations later said the ambassador had conveyed remorse and said sorry for the remarks.

Business Meeting Address Sparks Dispute

On Tuesday, Bozell spoke at a business meeting in the seaside resort of Hermanus, outlining five issues he said South Africa needed to fix.

One centered on the debate over the chant. Bozell stated 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 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''.

Officials Responds Publicly

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the South African government declared they had called the US ambassador to Pretoria to account for his recent inappropriate 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 director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Broader Bilateral Strains

Relations between the US and South Africa have soured since US President Donald Trump took office last year, with the two nations disagreeing on commerce, diplomacy and South Africa's strategic partnerships.

Trump has been vocally disapproving of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government, accusing it of failing to protect the country's white minority and criticising its land reform plans.

The South African government, in turn, has criticised the US decision to give preference to refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying allegations of a white genocide have been widely discredited and are not supported by credible proof.

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