Expert warns that Malema’s UK visa rejection could be politically regrettable

Governance Expert, Dr. Sam Koma says should the motive behind the rejection of EFF leader Julius Malema’s visa to the United Kingdom (UK) be politically motivated, it could have bad ramifications for the political landscape.

His remarks come after Malema who was preparing to travel to the UK for the Cambridge Africa Together Conference, received a rejection letter just hours before his scheduled departure, on Wednesday.

The Cambridge Conference is known for its focus on a variety of discourse and facilitating discussions on pressing world issues, with over 250 participants expected to attend.

Malema slammed British authorities describing the move as an attempt to stifle dissenting political voices.

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

EFF’s national spokesperson Thembi Msane says the move was in bad taste.

The British High Commission in Pretoria has since apologised for the delay in processing Malema’s visa.

In a letter, High Commissioner Antony Phillipson says the impact of recent UK bank holidays and standard visa processing procedures contributed to the delay, however he will be refunded for all the application fees.

Lobby group Afriforum also entered the fray, hailing the UK’s decision to deny Malema a visa and called on the international community to impose further sanctions on him.

The group’s leader Kallie Kriel, taking to X, says Malema must face the music globally for his use of the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant.

Great news! This is only the beginning. @afriforum is intensifying its international campaign, calling on the global community to take punitive action against @Julius_S_Malema for inciting violence against Afrikaners and farmers with the “Kill the Boer” chant. South African… https://t.co/BythT9h36I

— Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) May 7, 2025

Afriforum says Malema is guilty is gross human rights violations through their public calls for violence against Afrikaners and farmers.

Malema has been under fire over the song leading to US President Donald Trump criticising the chant after Elon Musk posted on X about a South African party promoting white genocide.

Speaking to Ynews, Koma says Afriforum don’t have the right to claim that it is because of them that Malema’s visa was denied.

The @GOVUK and the @10DowningStreet have miscalculated. Denying an elected MP with an official passport—invited to an academic conference—is not trivial. The President of the @EFFSouthAfrica @Julius_S_Malema is a continental leader, a parliamentary figure, and his exclusion is an… https://t.co/DTkScY0s4N

— Dr. Gumani Tshimomola (@TshimomolaGK) May 7, 2025

The UK denied Julius Malema a visa to speak at Cambridge—same Malema who DESTROYED Oxford with revolutionary truth! Why? Because colonial powers FEAR a black radical who exposes their hypocrisy. At Oxford, Malema called out imperialism, Land theft, & white supremacy. Now,… https://t.co/ZJAfjRcLTA

— ONE AFRICA 🌍 (@AfricaisBlack) May 7, 2025

The silence from our South African government, especially DIRCO, about Julius Malema’s visa being denied by the UK is seriously worrying. Julius Malema isn’t just anyone he’s an elected Member of Parliament and the leader of the EFF, the fourth biggest political party in our…

— Edgar Legoale 🇿🇦 (@EdgarLegoale) May 8, 2025

Ask yourself a question why Julius Malema is blocked from entering the UK whilst these ones did with no issues. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Rs8FChBHiu

— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) May 7, 2025

Julius Malema’s visa was not denied – he is milking it to promote how he is persecuted. He just applied to late for it to be processed in time.😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/DKVHfnW0WN

— Sir Cabonena Alfred (@Lebona_cabonena) May 8, 2025

For those who claim that Julius Malema was refused entry clearance into the United Kingdom, they should provide evidence. When the Home Office refuses your application for a visa, they will issue you with a letter stating clearly the reasons why it was refused. What the High… pic.twitter.com/hSJVqkesxW

— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) May 8, 2025