ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has called for the United States ambassador Leo Bozell III to face diplomatic discipline following remarks that breached protocol, for which Bozell has apologised. Speaking at an ANC march in Johannesburg on Human Rights Day, Mbalula emphasised South Africa's commitment to its sovereignty.
During the African National Congress (ANC) march in Johannesburg on March 21, 2026, as part of Human Rights Day commemorations, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula addressed the crowd alongside party allies and other groups. The event aimed to defend South Africa's sovereignty and democratic achievements since 1994. Mbalula stated that the ANC would closely monitor US ambassador Leo Bozell III, who had been demarched over remarks seen as violating diplomatic protocol. Bozell has since issued an apology for those comments. Mbalula insisted on applying diplomatic measures, drawing parallels to previous actions against other envoys. 'He must be subjected to diplomatic discipline. It’s not a question of being concerned about him. We have dealt with the Israeli ambassador, who was crossing the diplomatic bounds between countries, going to the Eastern Cape, doing as he wishes in our country. We showed him the door, undermining our State. We don’t do that in other countries. If we do it, we are equally subjected to the same rules. America did not think twice when they expelled Ambassador Rasool,' Mbalula said. He affirmed that South Africa would persist with policies promoting transformation. Tweets from Mbalula and the ANC highlighted the march's disciplined unity and resolve to protect democracy and rights.
