Julius Malema, the outspoken leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has been left frustrated and outraged after British authorities denied him a visa just hours before his scheduled departure to attend the Cambridge Africa Together Conference.
Malema’s Planned Appearance at Cambridge Conference
Malema was invited to speak at the prestigious Cambridge Africa Together Conference this weekend, set for Saturday, May 10.
The event is known for encouraging diverse and critical discussions on global affairs, with Malema being a key figure due to his strong political views and advocacy for African empowerment.
However, as he prepared to leave OR Tambo International Airport for the UK, Malema received the unexpected news that his visa had been denied.
Accusations of Political Motivation
Taking to social media, Malema expressed his anger over the visa refusal, calling it politically motivated and a clear attempt to silence his dissenting voice.
He said, “It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective.”
The timing of the decision, he pointed out, was especially suspicious, as he had been assured earlier in the day that the issue would be resolved before 3:30 PM.
The EFF’s Allegations Against the UK Authorities
The Economic Freedom Fighters party has strongly condemned the UK High Commission for what they view as an intentional delay to prevent Malema from attending the event.
They believe the visa denial was a calculated move to prevent him from speaking at the conference, which could have provided a platform for his critical views on Western influence in Africa.
The UK’s Explanation and Apology
In response, UK High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, offered an apology in a letter to the EFF, attributing the delay to a combination of UK public holidays and procedural issues that led to the visa not being processed on time.
Despite this explanation, the UK Home Office has remained silent on the specifics of the case, adhering to its policy of not commenting on individual visa applications.
Malema’s History with Travel Restrictions
Malema’s visa denial is not an isolated incident.
Back in 2011, he faced a travel ban imposed by Botswana, which remained in effect until November 2024, when a change in leadership allowed the ban to be lifted.
That ban was the result of Malema’s controversial remarks about Botswana’s then-President Ian Khama.
What’s Really Going On?
While some believe the visa denial may be a mere bureaucratic issue, others are questioning whether there’s a deeper political agenda at play.
Is this a case of unforeseen delays, or is there something more to it?
The controversy has sparked debate over the true reasons behind Malema’s denied access to the UK.