EFF President Julius Malema Slams British High Commission for Denying Him a Visa

• The Economic Freedom fighters (EFF) president slammed the United Kingdom for refusing to allow him into the country
• The British High Commission rejected his application for a VISA after he was invited to deliver an address at Cambridge University
• He slammed them while standing at the OR Tambo International Airport on 7 May 2025 and called the British High Commission spineless

Tebogo Mokwena, affiliated with Briefly News, covered local and international relations, political analysis, and interviews in South Africa for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News during his nine years of experience.

EKURHULENI — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema slammed the British High Commission for rejecting his VISA to the United Kingdom at the last minute on7 May 2025.

What Malema said about VISA rejection

The leader of the Red Berets posted on his @Julius_S_Malema X account moments after he received a rejection letter from the British High Commission while waiting at the OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni.

He was invited to address students at Cambridge University on 10 May. The university's African Society invited him to its 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference, under the theme of "The Making of Africa's Future Presidents."

Malema furiously blasted the Commission.

"It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. This is unacceptable and spineless," he tweeted.

Read the X tweet here:

The EFF posted a statement on its @EFFSouthAfrica X account. The party called the act an administratively-orchestrated ban on Malema for sending a letter of regret that the Commission could not process the VISA application on time.

"The EFF will never be discouraged from building global solidarity against imperialism and capitalism, and thanks to the students of Cambridge University for reognising and appreciating the voice of the commander in chief of the EFF as one that is leading the resistance of imperialism and the independence of Africa," the party said.

Read the X statement here:

Recently, Julius Malema said the EFF would support a motion of no confidence tabled against President Cyril Ramaphosa. He said that the party would then abstain from the vote if John Steenghuisen was a preferred candidate.

The African National Congress's Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, said Julius Malema was a dangerous person. He said a Government of National Unity partnership with the EFF would spell the end of the ANC.

South Africans weigh in

South Africans shared their views on Malema's ban from the UK.

Dineo Rsekhula said:

"It is times like these that should wake the African leaders to stand together with you, Mr President. Africans must unite."

Academia said:

"Africa should create platforms for intercontinental discussions and conferences so that people don't lament for being denied entry into European countries."

Nicola asked:

"Why are you cosying up to the colonialists you hate so much?"

Gareth Craig said:

"You are in the find out part of FAFO."

MA LE BO said:

"There's no free speech there, so nothing is surprising."

What you need to know about Julius Malema

Julius Malema is a South African politician recognised for his fiery rhetoric and powerful public speaking. He first rose to national prominence as president of the African National Congress Youth League from 2008 to 2012, before going on to co-found the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in 2013, a leftist political party he continues to lead as commander in chief.

In July 2013, Malema announced the formation of the EFF, with its official launch taking place in October of that year. The party positioned itself as a “radical, leftist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement” dedicated to achieving economic emancipation for the people of South Africa.

EFF slams donald Trump for expressing doubt about G20 summit

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the EFF slammed US President Donald Trump after he expressed doubt that he would attend the G20 Summit. South Africa, the host country, will kick the summit off in November.

The party said Trump should not use the G20 as an excuse to avoid other heads of state for the tariff wars he unleashed on the world. This was after Trump announced widespread tariffs worldwide.

Source: Briefly News