The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has launched a scathing attack on the United States ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, accusing him of interfering in the country’s domestic and foreign policy and calling for him to be expelled from the country.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the EFF condemned remarks Bozell allegedly made during a BizNews conference, where he reportedly expressed frustration on behalf of the administration of US President Donald Trump about South Africa’s policy positions and diplomatic relationships.
According to the party, Bozell suggested that South Africa risked damaging its relationship with the United States if it failed to align more closely with American geopolitical interests, particularly regarding relations with countries such as Iran. The ambassador also reportedly referenced the presence of more than 500 American companies operating in South Africa and described their investments as evidence of US goodwill toward the country.
Among the companies mentioned were global technology and financial giants, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Visa.
However, the EFF rejected the notion that these corporate investments represent political leverage for Washington. The party argued that while US-based companies do contribute to employment and economic activity in South Africa, they also generate significant profits from the local economy.
“The suggestion that the commercial presence of American corporations in South Africa is an act of political goodwill is misleading and reflects a misunderstanding of how global capitalism functions,” said EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The EFF further questioned why private sector investments were being framed as tools of diplomatic pressure, arguing that the companies themselves would likely not want their business interests used as bargaining chips in international politics.
The party also criticised what it described as attempts by Bozell to dictate South Africa’s domestic legislative agenda. According to the statement, the ambassador indicated that policies such as expropriation without compensation and transformation legislation like Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) could jeopardise US support and investment.
The EFF described these remarks as an unacceptable intrusion into the sovereign decision-making processes of South Africa.
Another point of contention was Bozell’s alleged dismissal of South Africa’s court rulings regarding the historic struggle chant “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer.” The EFF said the ambassador’s comments showed disrespect toward the country’s judiciary, which has previously ruled that the chant forms part of historical political expression linked to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Thambo said the remarks by the ambassador represented a serious diplomatic breach.
“The ambassador has taken it upon himself to lecture South Africa on how to run its domestic affairs and who it should associate with internationally. This is unacceptable and deeply disrespectful to the sovereignty of our nation,” Thambo said.
He added that South Africa’s legislative and policy direction is determined by its elected representatives and constitutional institutions, not by foreign diplomats.
“The United States has no authority to dictate our domestic laws or foreign policy choices. South Africa is a sovereign state with its own democratic processes,” he said.
The EFF also accused the US government of hypocrisy on human rights and international law, citing American military interventions and foreign policy decisions in several parts of the world.
The party argued that Washington lacks the moral authority to lecture other nations while supporting conflicts and policies that have been widely criticised internationally.
In light of these concerns, the EFF called on the South African government to take decisive action against Bozell.
“The statements made by Ambassador Bozell demonstrate clear contempt for the institutions of South Africa, including the presidency, parliament and the judiciary,” the party said.
The EFF said it believes the comments warrant the ambassador being declared persona non grata and expelled from the country.
Such a move, the party argued, would send a clear message that South Africa will not tolerate foreign interference in its internal affairs.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had not yet publicly responded to the EFF’s statement at the time of publication, and it remains unclear whether the government intends to address the controversy diplomatically.
