Pretoria – Relations between South Africa and the United States have deteriorated further after International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola told US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III to “get out of the kitchen” if he was no longer willing to engage in diplomatic dialogue.
Lamola made the remarks after Bozell said the US had “run out of patience” with Pretoria and that the “time for endless dialogue” had passed.
Speaking to TimesLIVE, Lamola said he was “taken aback” by Bozell’s position, arguing that dialogue was fundamental to diplomacy.
“It’s our job to talk. So if you can’t talk as a diplomat and you cannot dialogue … get out of the kitchen,” Lamola said.
The minister also accused Bozell of interfering in South Africa’s domestic affairs through his public comments and engagements with local groups.
“Yes, he has been involved in very undiplomatic conduct,” Lamola said, adding that “as a diplomat you cannot interfere in the domestic politics of your host”.
The remarks come days after South Africa summoned Bozell for the third diplomatic démarche since he began serving as ambassador. Reuters reported that Pretoria cited “undiplomatic conduct” for the latest intervention.
A démarche is a formal diplomatic protest and is considered one of the strongest measures available before a government declares a diplomat persona non grata.
Bozell hits back
Bozell responded on X, accusing Lamola of personally insulting him and suggesting the latest confrontation illustrated why relations between the two countries were deteriorating.
“So here we go again. Another Minister Lamola personal insult aimed at an American leader (this time me) which, when denounced (which I’m doing now), will result in a demarche with a lecture about being “undiplomatic.” And then the South African government wonders why relations are collapsing,” he wrote.
So here we go again. Another Minister Lamola personal insult aimed at an American leader (this time me) which, when denounced (which I’m doing now), will result in a demarche with a lecture about being “undiplomatic.” And then the South African government wonders why relations are collapsing.
— U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) October 4, 2026
He questioned why the South African government continued to use diplomatic protests while criticising him for being “undiplomatic”.
The dispute is also linked to Washington’s recent visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals accused of involvement in race-based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures in South Africa.
Bozell has previously argued that the measures were a consequence of Pretoria’s failure to address US concerns, while the South African government has rejected Washington’s claims about systematic persecution of white South Africans.
The diplomatic tensions have now prompted concern in Parliament. The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation is expected to seek answers from DIRCO over the three démarches issued against Bozell in less than nine months and their potential impact on bilateral relations.
Despite the increasingly hostile rhetoric, Lamola maintained that Pretoria remained committed to engagement.
“We remain committed to dialogue and engage with them — and we are clearly being genuine, extending a genuine hand,” he said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
