The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) have condemned US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III’s utterances on South Africa's foreign policy and domestic laws, with the EFF calling for his expulsion as an Ambassador and for him to immediately be declared persona non grata.

The party believes Bozell has expressed contempt for the country, the President of South Africa, the legislature and South Africa’s judiciary.

Bozell has issued several warning regarding South Africa’s foreign policy and domestic laws.

Bozell assumed office last month after being nominated by US President Donald Trump.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in the last year as Trump accused South Africa of persecuting its white minority, criticised its ties with Russia and China, imposed steep tariffs on its exports and cut all aid.

South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington since the Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool.

In an address to a Biznews 2026 conference Bozell outlined the US’s supposed frustration with South Africa for not adhering to requests on land expropriation, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, the protection of white farmers and others.

The EFF said these requests were being made by the “child-killing war-mongering Donald Trump administration”.

In his address, Bozell noted the continued and mutually beneficial relationship South African has with US-based tech-companies, Google, Microsoft, Amazon VISA and the more than 500 US companies which operate in South Africa.

The EFF pointed out that while these companies undoubtedly contribute to employment in the country, they conversely extract profit from South Africa’s economy.

“…therefore, any suggestion that their commercial presence is South Africa is a sign of ‘goodwill’ and ‘commercial diplomacy’ by the US, is indicative of the economic and political illiteracy that plagues the White House today,” the party said.

The EFF said it is puzzling that Bozell suggests that the private sector endeavours of US-based companies in South Africa represent a measure of political goodwill, which can be withdrawn due to the meaningless dissatisfaction of American politicians.

“As the EFF we highly doubt that these companies perceive their investment in South Africa as an extension of Donald Trump's political ambitions, and we doubt these companies would appreciate being used as leverage in diplomatic relations,” it added.

Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said threats of investors pulling out from South Africa are unfounded, noting that these companies attended the G20 even though the Trump administration did not.

“US companies are confident in the South African economy as seen by Walmart recently entering the South African market. South Africa is open for business and is a safe destination for global companies to do business,” he said.

The ANC reiterated that South Africa believes in a multipolar world which respects international law and international institutions that support a system of multilateralism.

The EFF stated that Bozell has “taken it upon himself” to dictate to South Africa what should characterise its nation’s domestic and foreign policy, expressing displeasure at the “genocidal Trump-regime he represents”.

Bozell also suggested that to retain investment in the country, South Africa ought to cut ties with adversaries of the United States, particularly Iran.

“Perhaps most disrespectfully as a diplomat, Bozell stated that he does not care what our courts say about the struggle song Kill The Boer, Kill The Farmer, and that our government must condemn what our courts correctly characterised as free speech and part of our history in the struggle against racial domination,” the EFF said.

The EFF said it has informed Bozell that the US has no say in what constitutes South Africa’s domestic and foreign policy agenda, and added that his displeasure at South Africa, along with that of Trump’s, is worthless.

“Bozell and the murderous regime he represents has no moral authority to dictate to South Africa who we associate with and what our laws should be, and he and Donald Trump certainly have no standing to threaten withdrawal of private sector investment of companies they do not own or control,” said the EFF.