Mbalula and AfriForum in war of words over US ambassador’s remarks

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Picture: Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo The dispute comes after Bozell sparked political backlash this week during a speech at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, Western Cape. Bozell drew criticismafter he accused the South African government of failing to address concerns raised by US President Donald Trump.

The situation escalated further when Bozell remarked that he “didn’t care” about South African court rulings regarding the apartheid struggle song “Kill the Boer”, arguing that the chant constitutes hate speech. In response, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Wednesday, 11 March, démarched Bozell over the remarks. The ANC official referenced a 1987 letter written by Bozell in which he stated that the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC), which he led at the time, was proud to join the Coalition Against ANC Terrorism. The campaign sought to influence US policy against the ANC during apartheid.