South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) summoned United States Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III on Tuesday for the third time, citing what it described as “anti-diplomatic conduct”, a senior South African government official told Reuters, without specifying the precise grounds for the summons.
“We can confirm that we presented a démarche to Ambassador Bozell. It is the third since he assumed his functions nine months ago,” a senior DIRCO official said on Tuesday evening.
Relations between the two countries have been marked by sustained tension following repeated statements by US President Donald Trump, who has accused — without basis — the South African government of permitting the systematic persecution of the country’s white population. White South Africans are, on average, wealthier and have higher levels of employment than Black South Africans. The government policies criticised by Trump are designed to address inequalities that have persisted since the apartheid era.
Bozell, a conservative activist and writer, arrived in Pretoria in February as Trump’s envoy. Within weeks of taking up his post, he was summoned by the South African government for the first time, following statements that DIRCO said undermined the independence of the judicial system and disregarded the country’s historical context.
In recent interviews with local media, the US diplomat adopted a sharper and more impatient tone, stating that Pretoria had not responded satisfactorily to Washington’s concerns and warning that additional pressure measures could follow. Two weeks ago, the United States announced visa restrictions targeting some South African nationals.
Despite the tensions, South Africa reiterated its willingness to maintain dialogue with Washington, while stressing that its sovereignty must be respected and that it is not prepared to compromise domestic priorities — in particular, the redress of historical injustices. “Issues relating to the bilateral relations between the two countries continue to be the subject of discussions. There is a commitment from both sides to resolve outstanding matters,” the DIRCO official said.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/30/mundo/africa/africa-do-sul-embaixador-dos-eua-volta-a-ser-convocado-por-alegada-conduta-anti-diplomatica/
