UK Denies Visa to Julius Malema Over Hamas Support, EFF Condemns Political Censorship

The United Kingdom has officially denied a visa to Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), citing his public support for Hamas, controversial statements on race, and concerns about his “conduct, character, and associations.” The UK Home Office declared his presence “not conducive to the public good” and warned future visa applications would likely be denied unless he changes his public stance.

The refusal, dated 17 June 2025, follows Malema’s intended travel to the “Africa Together Conference” at Cambridge University, where he had been scheduled to address an international audience. The Home Office’s decision cited Malema’s public praise for Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as remarks that UK authorities deemed incitement to racial hatred and glorification of terrorism.

“You have expressed open support for Hamas and Hezbollah, organisations proscribed under UK law,” stated the letter, citing multiple incidents including a 2024 EFF statement backing “armed resistance” against Israel and Malema’s own claim that Hamas’ October 7 attack was “a legitimate act of resistance.”

A Record of Provocative Statements

The Home Office also referenced Malema’s infamous 2016 comment—“We are not calling for the slaughter of white people… at least for now”—and his 2022 court statement where he refused to rule out future similar remarks, stating: “I’m not a prophet.”

Citing these instances, the Home Office concluded that Malema’s presence would risk fuelling social tensions and undermine public order. No right of appeal is available under UK immigration law in such cases, reinforcing the finality of the decision.

EFF Response: Political Repression and Hypocrisy

In a swift and fiery response, the EFF condemned the visa denial as an attempt to silence a Pan-African, anti-imperialist voice.

“For a country that claims to uphold democracy, the UK has exposed itself as an intolerant bully,” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. “This is political censorship masquerading as public safety.”

Thambo asserted that Malema was being punished for standing with the oppressed people of Palestine and for challenging global power structures. The EFF reiterated that it would “not trade revolutionary principles for a visa.”

“Let the UK keep its visas—we will keep our Africa and our solidarity with the oppressed,” Thambo declared.

The EFF further rejected the UK’s use of South African legal proceedings to justify the ban, saying the Equality Court had never ordered Malema to recant his controversial remarks and defended the singing of liberation struggle songs like “Kill the Boer” as part of South Africa’s liberation heritage.

An Embattled Global Figure

Malema’s travel bans are not new. He was previously barred from Botswana in 2011 for remarks against the government and from Zambia for alleged political interference. Both bans were later lifted.

In May 2025, Malema was invited to speak at Cambridge University but was barred due to what the British High Commission then described as an administrative delay. That incident, now seen in a different light, appears to have foreshadowed the formal visa refusal.

Despite a formal apology from UK High Commissioner Antony Phillipson for the earlier mishandling of Malema’s visa, the latest Home Office decision casts doubt on the UK’s commitment to free expression, especially when it involves critical voices from the Global South.

Contested Grounds: Legal Treaty or Political Line?

Observers note that the UK’s decision is legally grounded in counter-terrorism policy, as Hamas is listed as a terrorist group under UK law. However, critics argue that equating political support for Palestinian self-determination with extremism reflects selective moral outrage.

“The UK has no moral authority to determine what constitutes a legitimate resistance. It continues to arm regimes accused of war crimes,” said one Pan-African political analyst, speaking off record. “Malema’s rhetoric may be confrontational, but it reflects deeply held beliefs among millions across Africa.”

The Broader Implications: Suppressing African Dissent?

The incident also raises deeper questions about how African leaders with radical or anti-Western views are treated by Western democracies. The EFF argues that Malema’s ban is not about security, but rather a deliberate attempt to muzzle dissent from the Global South.

“From Thomas Sankara to Julius Nyerere, revolutionary African voices have long been labelled dangerous by the West. Malema’s ban fits a historical pattern of silencing those who dare to speak against empire,” said a University of Johannesburg political historian.

A Fight Beyond Borders

As the EFF continues to champion Pan-Africanism, land justice, and global solidarity with Palestine, the UK’s decision may bolster Malema’s image among supporters as a persecuted revolutionary rather than diminish his global stature.

Whether one views Malema as a radical truth-teller or a dangerous provocateur, the debate over his UK visa denial reveals the fragile line between democratic openness and political control—a line that many believe Western powers still cross too easily when faced with African dissent.