US entitled to choose its Ambassador to SA: Ntshavheni

US Embassy in Pretoria

1 minute

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the United States (US) is well within its rights to choose its ambassador to South Africa without consulting Pretoria.

Ntshavheni was briefing the media in Pretoria today on the outcomes of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

US President Donald Trump has announced his nomination of Leo Brent Bozell III to be Washington’s ambassador to South Africa.

“The US is a sovereign state, so they have the right to choose its own ambassador. They do not have to consult with us. Ours is when we receive the credentials to consider the credentials and decide whether to decide to accept or not to accept, and that is not a cabinet discussion, it is the responsibility of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.”

Meanwhile, the International Relations and Cooperation Department says it has not received a formal communique from the US regarding the deployment of its new ambassador to South Africa.