South African opposition leader Julius Malema has accused the UK of attempting to silence dissent after being denied a visa to attend the ‘Africa Together Conference’ at the University of Cambridge on 10 May 2025.
J. Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), described the decision as unjustified and politically motivated, asserting that there was no “substantial justification” for the UK’s refusal. He believes the action is an effort to suppress a dissenting political perspective, given his vocal criticism of Western imperialism and his controversial stance on land nationalization in South Africa.
In a leaked letter to Malema’s deputy, UK High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, explained that the UK Home Office had been unable to process Malema’s visa application in time, citing the complexity of the process and the recent UK Bank Holidays. Despite the Home Office’s apology and offer to refund the visa application fee, the EFF claims that the delay was deliberate, designed to prevent Malema from addressing the university’s Africa Together Conference. The EFF stated that their leader’s visa was intentionally delayed to prevent him from speaking on behalf of the party at the event.
Malema responded to the denial with frustration, revealing on social media that the EFF had been assured that the issue would be resolved, only to be informed of the rejection just hours before departure. He labelled the situation “unacceptable and spineless,” accusing the UK authorities of obstructing his participation in the event. While the Home Office has refrained from commenting on the individual case, the incident has drawn attention to broader issues of political freedom and international diplomacy, particularly given Malema’s contentious political views.