Pretoria – US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has been summoned by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and issued a démarche over what Pretoria described as “undiplomatic conduct” amid worsening tensions between the two countries.
The démarche, delivered on Tuesday, followed a series of public comments by Bozell criticising the South African government’s response to demands from the Trump administration. The US Embassy confirmed that Bozell had been “called in” by Dirco to discuss bilateral relations, eNCA reported.
It is the second démarche against Bozell in recent months. He was previously reprimanded in March after controversial comments about the “Kill the Boer” chant. He later expressed regret over those remarks.
BREAKING NEWS: A senior DIRCO official confirms U.S. Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III has been demarched for a third time in nine months and called in to explain what DIRCO describes as “undiplomatic conduct.” The official says both countries remain committed to resolving… pic.twitter.com/ijPFJJDnXp
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 29, 2026
Bozell has repeatedly criticised Pretoria over Washington’s five demands, which include issues surrounding land expropriation, BEE, rural safety and the chant.
“In my meeting with President Ramaphosa, I tried to emphasise just how simple this process was,” Bozell said, referring to the demands.
He has also warned that the US visa restrictions imposed on certain South Africans are an indication of Washington’s “firm resolve in this matter”.
According to Daily Maverick, The US has said it is not interested in “diplomatic manoeuvring, procedural delays, or dialogue for dialogue’s sake”, adding that the matter is now for Pretoria to address.
South Africa, meanwhile, has maintained that it is open to dialogue but will not compromise its sovereignty or national interests.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said: “South Africa is willing to resolve any issue, any difficulty, but our resolution does not mean we compromise our national interest.”
WATCH | DIRCO says US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III has been demarched for a third time in nine months over alleged undiplomatic conduct. Meanwhile, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says access to SA’s critical minerals is among the issues straining relations with Washington. pic.twitter.com/9f92QyNWIz
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 29, 2026
On BEE, she said the policy was part of South Africa’s national legislation and was intended to advance transformation.
The latest diplomatic confrontation comes as Pretoria and Washington continue to disagree over several domestic policy issues and the future of bilateral relations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
