SA British High Commission apologises to Malema for visa application not being finalised
A letter by High Commissioner Antony Phillipson apologising to Malema has been made public by the red berets, where he expresses regret over the inaction of his colleagues in the UK Home Office.
JOHANNESBURG - The British High Commission in South Africa said Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s visa application could not be finalised due to the unfortunate timing of some recent United Kingdom (UK) bank holidays.
A letter by High Commissioner Antony Phillipson apologising to Malema has been made public by the red berets, where he expresses regret over the inaction of his colleagues in the UK Home Office.
ALSO READ: EFF's Malema says he was denied visa to attend conference at Cambridge University
The EFF has described the incident as an administratively orchestrated ban on its president.
Malema was due to speak at the Cambridge University’s Africa Together Conference.
While this wouldn’t have been Malema’s first trip to the UK, he’s had to make a u-turn while already at the airport due to incomplete entry documents.
In a letter, personally penned by Phillipson, he explained how the delay occurred, apologising for the inconvenience caused to Malema.
He further said he has no means of intervening in the decision-making processes.
Phillipson also acknowledges that Malema and his delegation applied for their visas in advance, even paying additional costs for priority service.
The commissioner also expresses a willingness to fully refund all the application fees.
EWN has sent questions to the UK Home Office, which are yet to be answered.