Cape Town – Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation wants to know the circumstances that led to the United States Ambassador to South Africa, L. Brent Bozell III, being issued a third démarche in less than nine months.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) recently issued Ambassador Bozell, who arrived in South Africa in February 2026, a third démarche last month.
A démarche is the strongest formal diplomatic protest a government can issue, short of declaring a diplomat persona non grata.
DIRCO has described his conduct as “undiplomatic”.
While it has not released full details of the latest démarche of 30 September 2026, the previous two were linked to public commentary in which the Ambassador:
- Criticised a Constitutional Court ruling regarding the “kill the boer” chant, and
- Warned that the US administration was “running out of patience” with South Africa over domestic policies such as black economic empowerment and foreign policy positions.
Commenting on the matter, the portfolio committee said it will invite DIRCO to brief it on circumstances leading to three démarches in less than nine months.
The committee, chaired by Supra Mahumapelo, has said it will invite DIRCO to brief it on:
1. The circumstances leading to three démarches in less than nine months;
2. The potential impact on trade, investment and cooperation; and
3. Steps being taken to ensure adherence to the Vienna Convention.
“The United States remains an important trade, investment and historical partner for South Africa,” Chairperson Mahumapelo said.
“We support government’s continued commitment to constructive engagement and recalibration of relations, as demonstrated by the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ambassador Bozell at Mahlamba Ndlopfu on 27 August 2026.
“However, constructive engagement requires mutual respect.”
The committee further called on all foreign missions accredited to South Africa to uphold the highest standards of diplomatic decorum.
“We reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to international law, multilateralism and non-racialism as enshrined in our Constitution,” Mahumapelo said.
Parliament will now await DIRCO’s briefing before making any further determination.
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