The United Kingdom has officially denied a visa to Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), citing his controversial support for Hamas and previous inflammatory statements.

This latest decision, announced on Wednesday, adds to Malema’s ongoing visa woes with the UK authorities.

In a letter dated June 17, 2025, from the UK Home Office, it was made clear that future applications for entry are unlikely to be successful unless Malema adjusts his public stance.

The Home Office’s assessment indicated that Malema’s presence was “not conducive to the public good,” highlighting concerns regarding his character and associations.

A key factor in the UK’s decision was Malema’s open support for Hamas—a group designated as a terrorist organisation under UK law.

In an April 2024 statement, the EFF expressed unwavering backing for “the armed struggle of Hamas and Hezbollah,” a sentiment reiterated in a televised interview where Malema described the attacks on 7 October as “a legitimate act of resistance.”

Moreover, the Home Office pointed to a history of racially charged remarks by Malema, including his infamous statement from 2016, asserting that the EFF was “not calling for the slaughter of white people — at least for now.”

This was further compounded by his admission during a 2022 court hearing, where he suggested he could not rule out such calls in the future, stating, “I can’t guarantee I won’t say it. I am not a prophet.”

The Home Office characterised Malema’s words and actions as part of a broader pattern of “unacceptable behaviour,” which encompasses incitement to racial hatred and glorification of terrorism.

The letter concluded that “your conduct, character and associations make it undesirable to grant you entry to the UK.” It noted that there is no right of appeal for this decision, reinforcing the finality of the matter.

This latest refusal follows a recent incident in May, when Malema was barred from attending the “Africa Together Conference” at Cambridge University.

At that time, the British High Commission had apologised for processing delays attributed to public holidays and internal procedures, although Malema labelled the incident a politically charged attempt to “silence a dissenting political perspective.”

After being denied entry last-minute at OR Tambo International Airport, he charged that he was misled about the resolution of his application, only to face angry rejection just before his intended departure.

IOL

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