Malema Criticizes UK Visa Refusal, Points to Political Motives

EFF leader Julius Malema has denounced the UK’s decision to deny him a visa, calling it an act of cowardice and accusing global figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump of trying to silence him.

Malema was due to speak at a conference hosted by the University of Cambridge last week but was informed just hours before his flight that his visa had been rejected. The conference is known for featuring high-level debates on politics, human rights, and global affairs.

♦️In Pictures♦️

The President and Commander in Chief @Julius_S_Malema greeting Ward 24 community members.

Fighters, we must be one thing and fight as a strong organisation of the Left.#VoteEFF pic.twitter.com/QQSLrar0De

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 11, 2025

‘They fear the truth’

Addressing EFF supporters in Freedom Park, Soweto, ahead of a by-election, Malema said the visa denial was politically motivated.

“I was going to meet students at Cambridge, but they denied me entry to London. They don’t want people who speak the truth,” he said.

He went on to slam British authorities for what he described as an anti-democratic move.

“They banned me because I can’t be bought by colonialism. That is cowardice. When you disagree with someone, you don’t ban them. You allow them to speak and challenge their ideas.”

He also pointed to past apartheid-era suppression of leaders like Elias Motsoaledi as a comparison, saying banning opponents only shows weakness.

Blames Musk and Trump for global campaign

Malema said the visa denial fits into a broader attempt to criminalise him globally, singling out tech billionaire Elon Musk and former US president Donald Trump.

“It is Elon Musk and Donald Trump who want to criminalise me for speaking truth to power. They want to label me an international criminal.”

Malema has faced international backlash for controversial statements, including the “Kill the Boer” chant and calls for land invasions. Both have drawn criticism from groups like AfriForum and political opponents in South Africa.

In March, Musk shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) alleging the EFF promoted “white genocide.” Trump later reposted it on Truth Social, echoing the claim and drawing support from AfriForum.

Despite this, South Africa’s Constitutional Court dismissed AfriForum’s case to ban the chant, saying it had no reasonable chance of success.

UK High Commission apologises

Following the incident, the British High Commission in South Africa issued an apology for the delayed visa processing.

British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson acknowledged the disappointment in a formal letter, blaming the delay on recent UK bank holidays and visa processing procedures.

“I have no means of intervening in the Home Office’s decisions,” Phillipson said, while offering his “sincere apologies” for the situation.

Malema remained defiant, telling his supporters that being banned by the UK did not bother him.

“Soweto will never deny me a visa,” he said. “London’s ban gave me more time to be with my people—where I’m accepted, where the truth is not feared.”

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Sourced:IOL

Picture: EFF/X