EFF's Malema says he was denied visa to attend conference at Cambridge University
Julius Malema took to social media on Wednesday, claiming that British authorities provided no substantial justification for their decision.
EFF leader Julius Malema. Picture: @EFFSouthAfrica/X
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said he was denied a visa to London, claiming it was an attack on his dissenting political perspective.
Malema took to social media on Wednesday, claiming that British authorities provided no substantial justification for their decision.
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
He was set to attend a conference at Cambridge University.
In a post on social media platform X, Malema said he was at the OR Tambo International Airport, as he was promised that his visa would be sorted by 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon, only to be sent a letter four hours before his departure upholding the decision to deny him entry.
In a statement, the party detailed how Malema was invited to the Cambridge University to make an address this weekend at the institution's annual Africa Together Conference.
The EFF said the UK was not only suppressing academic freedom by essentially banning Malema from travelling to the country but was also making an open declaration of war against those who stood up to the British monarchy.
They believe the decision by British authorities was in retaliation to condemnation by Malema of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Malema has previously made public comments on Blair's role in the Iraq war.