South Africa: UK Denies Julius Malema Visa Again

For the second time in just two months, the UK Home Office has denied South African opposition MP and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema entry, ruling him “non-conducive to the public good” and deeming his admission “undesirable.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office said in a formal refusal that Malema’s presence in the UK would be against the country’s public-interest standards. No further details were provided.

Malema, an outspoken critic of Western influence, had aimed to attend two high-profile events: an Africa-themed conference at Cambridge University and a peace summit in London, both scheduled for June.

He previously faced frustration in May when his planned visit was scuttled by a last-minute visa delay.

That denial–later described as a “regret letter” which arrived just hours before his departure–was blamed on procedural backlog and UK bank holidays.

He quickly denounced the refusal as politically motivated. Posting on X, Malema said: “The British authorities have denied me a visa … providing no substantial justification. It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective.”

At an event in Soweto, he added: “White people denied me entry … because I can’t be bought by imperialism and colonialism…They are cowards.”

He charged the UK with stifling free speech and protecting entrenched colonial-era interests.

Following the first visa controversy, British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson issued an apology, citing internal delays and UK public holidays.

He explained that Malema’s delegation had applied early and used priority services, yet the visa still was not processed in time.

Phillipson clarified that he had no power to influence Home Office decisions and offered delegates a refund of all application fees.