US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell says the US respects South Africa's judiciary, after initially saying he was “not concerned” about the court's ruling that the “Kill the Boers” slogan is not hate speech.
- US Ambassador Brent Bozell initially dismissed the South African court's ruling on “Kill the Boer” as hate speech.
- Bozell later clarified, maintaining his personal view that the chant incites hatred, while respecting the South African judiciary.
- Bozell's comments drew sharp reactions from South African political figures, including calls by the EFF for his expulsion.
US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell has walked back his comments that he did not “care” about the South African court's ruling that “Kill the Boer” is not hate speech, and now saying he respects the conclusion.
Speaking at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, Western Cape, on Tuesday, Bozell suggested that the US had “lost patience” with South Africa due to South Africa's failure to comply with its demands regarding certain policy positions.
According to him, this includes “reprehensible rhetoric that incites hatred or glorifies violence”.
Bozell said at the conference, “We can't get clarity on the 'Kill the Boer' chant, which we believe is hate speech. I'm sorry, I don't care what your courts say, this is hate speech.”
However, on Wednesday, he went to X to “clarify” his views.
Bozell wrote, “I want to make clear that my personal view – like that of many South Africans – is that while 'Kill the Boer' is hate speech, the US government respects the independence and findings of the South African judiciary.”
thanks for doing @biznewscom For hosting me tomorrow. I want to make it clear that while my personal view – like that of many South Africans – is that “kill the Boers” is hate speech, the US government respects the independence and findings of the South African judiciary.
– US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (@USAmbRSA) 11 March 2026
News 24 reported on Wednesday that following his address at the conference, the EFF called for Bozel to be expelled, and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula warned the ambassador to toe the line.
In a statement, EFF spokesperson Sinavo Thambo said the comments Bozel made regarding the court's ruling on “kill the boer, kill the farmer” were “most insulting” for a diplomat.
“Bozell said he doesn't care what our courts say about the fight song 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer,' and that our government should condemn what our courts have correctly characterized as free speech and part of our history in the struggle against racial supremacy,” he added.
Read | EFF calls for Bozel's ouster, while Mbalula says SA will not be dictated by US
The ambassador also criticized former Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery, who said it appeared that the rule of law only applied when it suited Bozell.
Jeffrey wrote, “Accepting the Court's decisions, even if you disagree with them, is a fundamental part of the rule of law, which he ironically claims is part of the 'right circumstances'. It seems that the rule of law is only required if it agrees with you.”
While the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has not commented publicly on Bozel's comments, Minister Ronald Lamola will brief the media on geopolitical developments on Wednesday afternoon.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional information.