South Africa summons US ambassador for third time in nine months

The South African government has summoned US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for the third time in nine months over what it described as his “undiplomatic conduct.”

A senior official of South Africa’s foreign ministry confirmed that Bozell was called in on Tuesday to explain his conduct, shortly after he published an opinion article accusing the South African government of “hostility” towards the United States.

“It was the third demarche since he started his duties nine months ago. This is a record,” the official told AFP on Wednesday.

Bozell, a conservative US envoy who assumed office in February, has been at the centre of growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

The disagreements have included South Africa’s legal action against Israel, US President Donald Trump’s claims about the alleged persecution of white Afrikaners, and Pretoria’s policies on land ownership and Black economic empowerment.

The United States also announced visa restrictions in mid-September targeting South Africans accused of promoting “race-based discrimination, inciting violence, or enabling land confiscation without compensation”.

In his opinion piece published on the US embassy’s website, Bozell said Washington had “run out of patience” with Pretoria, accusing the South African government of failing to adequately respond to several US demands.

Among the issues raised were calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to condemn the controversial anti-apartheid chant “Kill the Boer,” greater prioritisation of rural crime, and the expansion of alternatives to Black equity laws in the telecommunications and mining sectors.

South Africa, however, has maintained that it would not bow to what it considers interference in its sovereign affairs.

Despite the diplomatic tensions, the South African foreign ministry said both countries remained committed to resolving outstanding issues.

“There is commitment from both sides to resolve the outstanding matters,” the official said.

Bozell was previously summoned in March, only weeks after assuming office, following comments concerning the same issues.