South Africa has pushed back against remarks by United States ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III, after he criticised Pretoria’s engagements with China and Iran.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said South Africa’s foreign policy remains independent and rooted in non-alignment.

Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said government had taken note of Bozell’s comments on X.

Bozell’s posts questioned Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s visit to China and Deputy International Relations Minister Thandi Moraka’s talks with Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh, in Pretoria.

What Sparked the Tension

Mashatile is in Beijing for the China International Supply Chain Expo at the Shunyi Exhibition Centre.

At the same time, Moraka hosted Khatibzadeh for diplomatic talks in South Africa.

Bozell argued that South Africa could not claim to be non-aligned while engaging with countries viewed as US adversaries.

He said Pretoria’s actions showed “a choice” and called for a more honest conversation about who South Africa was choosing to stand with.

Dirco Defends Non-Alignment

Phiri said South Africa does not usually engage in public disputes with resident envoys.

But he said the remarks required a clear response on the country’s guiding principles.

According to Phiri, South Africa is a sovereign nation and follows an independent foreign policy.

He said non-alignment should not be confused with neutrality.

South Africa, he said, refuses to be pulled into geopolitical contests or pressured to take sides.

Instead, the country prioritises dialogue, global peace and its own national interests.

SA Says it Can Engage Across the World

Phiri said South Africa reserves the right to build bilateral relations across the global spectrum.

He also pointed out what he called a contradiction in criticism of South Africa’s engagements with Iran and China, saying the United States also continues to interact with those countries.

Dirco said South Africa remains committed to using established diplomatic channels to engage the US.

The department also said it trusts that these protocols will be respected going forward.

The exchange comes amid strained relations between South Africa and the US, with diplomatic tensions continuing to shape the relationship between Pretoria and Washington.