RismadarVoice Reporters
September 30, 2026
The South African government has summoned United States Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III for the third time in nine months amid continuing diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
A senior official of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that Bozell was called in over what the government described as “undiplomatic conduct.”
The démarche, a formal diplomatic protest, followed a series of public comments by the ambassador criticising the South African government and its handling of concerns raised by Washington.
Bozell also published an opinion article on Tuesday in which he criticised Pretoria’s response to several issues raised by the United States and questioned the usefulness of continued diplomatic engagement without further action.
Relations between South Africa and the United States have deteriorated over disagreements involving land and racial policies, rural crime, foreign policy and Pretoria’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised South African policies aimed at addressing racial and economic inequalities, including Black Economic Empowerment requirements and land reform measures.
South Africa has defended its policies as legitimate efforts to address inequalities created during apartheid and has rejected claims that its laws amount to racial persecution.
Earlier in September, Washington announced visa restrictions targeting South Africans it says are responsible for promoting race-based discrimination, inciting violence or enabling land confiscation without compensation.
Pretoria has criticised the move while maintaining that South Africa has the sovereign right to determine its domestic policies.
Among the issues raised by Washington is the controversial anti-apartheid chant commonly known as “Kill the Boer.”
The United States has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to condemn the chant, while South African courts have considered its meaning within its historical and political context.
Washington has also called for greater attention to rural crime and changes to some Black Economic Empowerment requirements affecting businesses.
Bozell was previously summoned in March following remarks concerning South African policies and the “Kill the Boer” chant.
Despite the latest diplomatic dispute, South African officials said discussions between the two governments were continuing.
A senior foreign ministry official said both sides remained committed to resolving outstanding bilateral issues.
The dispute forms part of wider strains in relations between Pretoria and Washington since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The Trump administration has cut some assistance to South Africa and established a programme allowing qualifying Afrikaners claiming racial persecution to seek refugee resettlement in the United States.
South Africa has strongly disputed claims that Afrikaners face systematic racial persecution, while maintaining that crime and inequality affect communities across the country.
