ANC SG Fikile Mbalula threatens the United States Ambassador to South Africa

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula threatened to kick United States Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, out of the country unless he toes the line.

Bozell, a lecturer, journalist, businessman, and author, was confirmed as Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa on December 18, 2025.

He arrived in the country last month, and it was not long before the ANC targeted him for his comments and views.

Bozell extended a hand of friendship to South Africa in his first public speech delivered at the 2026 BizNews Conference in Hermanus on 10 March 2026.

He described a vision for the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa rooted in reciprocity and commercial diplomacy.

He said over 500 American companies operate in South Africa, employing more than 250,000 local citizens. He wanted to double this number.

Despite the positive message of cooperation between the United States and South Africa, the government focused on the negative.

In a question-and-answer session after his speech, Bozell said he believed the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant is hate speech. “I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it is hate speech,” he said. This echoed the view of many South Africans.

He later clarified in a public statement that it was his personal view that ‘Kill the Boer’ constitutes hate speech. He added that the United States government respects South Africa’s judiciary’s independence and findings.

South Africa was quick to act, issuing a diplomatic protest to the new US Ambassador to Pretoria over his recent criticism of the government.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation conveyed the démarche to Bozell. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed the move.

“We have called in the ambassador of the United States, Ambassador Bozell, to explain his undiplomatic remarks,” Lamola said at a media briefing.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula threatens Leo Brent Bozell III

In a speech at the People’s March on 21 March 2026, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula threatened to kick Bozell out of the country.

“There is another old man who came into our country from the United States,” Mbalula said, referring to United States Ambassador Bozell.

“He began to open his big mouth and attack this constitutional court, our court, our democracy. They demolished him.”

The ANC Secretary-General said, referring to Minister Lamola, “Should he open his mouth again, show him the door.”

“He must go back to the United States of America. When Ambassador Ibrahim Rasool said things about Donald Trump, they expelled him out of America.”

Mbalula said that Bozell must be subjected to diplomatic discipline. “It’s not a question of being concerned about him,” he said.

“We have dealt with the Israeli ambassador, who was crossing the diplomatic bounds between countries, doing as he wished in our country.”

“We showed him the door, undermining our State. We don’t do that in other countries.”

“If we do it, we are equally subject to the same rules. America did not think twice when it expelled Ambassador Rasool.”

Mbalula also criticized the United States’ refugee program for Afrikaners, launched in February 2025 via executive order by the Trump administration.

“Donald Trump gave them assurances and invited them to go to America. Only 49 car guards left our country,” he said.

“They are on their way back because they cannot afford the cost of living in the United States of America.”

He added that the South Africans behind the initiative, like Afriforum’s Kallie Kriel, are “having a great time in our country”.