PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ JULIUS MALEMA
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was denied a UK visa just hours before departing South Africa to attend the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference.
Julius took to social media on Wednesday to criticise the move as an attempt to silence dissenting political voices, claiming there was no substantial justification given.
“The British authorities have denied me a visa to London for the Cambridge Conference this weekend, providing no substantial justification,” he wrote.
The British authorities have denied me a visa to London for the Cambridge Conference this weekend, providing no substantial justification. It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. We are currently at the OR airport, as we were…
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) May 7, 2025
“It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. We are currently at the OR airport, as we were promised that everything would be sorted by 15:30. Instead, we received a regret letter just four hours before our departure. This is unacceptable and spineless.”
The EFF called the decision an “administratively orchestrated ban” and accused the British High Commission of deliberately delaying the visa process.
The EFF’s Statement on the Deliberate Failure by the British High Commission to Process the Visa Application of CIC Julius Malema for an Address at Cambridge University
-The United Kingdom is not only suppressing academic freedom by essentially banning the President of the EFF… pic.twitter.com/CC8xkbjuUO
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 7, 2025
The party views the denial as politically motivated and part of broader imperialist suppression.
The conference, scheduled for 9–10 May 2025, aims to discuss Africa’s future leadership and economic development.
This incident follows Elon Musk’s February criticism of Julius, labelling him an “international criminal”, to which Julius responded by aligning himself with Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
