“Banned in Britain”: Far-left South African leader denied visa ahead of Cambridge speech
A far-left South African politician has slammed the Home Office after having his visa denied ahead of a talk at Ccersity.
Julius Malema, leader of the communist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), had been scheduled to speak at a university event for African students on Saturday, but today revealed his visa application had been rejected.
The politician, who has been accused of being “anti-West”, called the decision “an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective.”
Slamming the Home Office, he called the move “unacceptable and spineless.”
The left-wing leader, who wears a traditional red beret, said he only found out about the decision while he was boarding his plane to the UK.
Election posters on the lead up to the 2024 South African General Election. Picture: Alamy
The UK has reportedly apologised for the delay, with High Commissioner Anthony Phillipson pinning it on the recent May bank holiday.
A letter published by the BBC said the Home Office was “unable to process the application in time owing to the necessary steps required to consider visa applications and the unfortunate timing of some recent UK bank holidays.”
“I recognise that this will be deeply disappointing, especially as the delegation applied in advance and some paid for priority service,” Mr Phillipson added.
The EEF saw modest success in last year’s South African election, winning just under 10 per cent of the vote - with most of its support coming from young black voters.
Like many left-wing African nationalist parties, the EEF has pledged to nationalise the country’s infrastructure and give wealth back to the people.
The party has been accused of inciting violence against white South Africans with its use of the refrain “kill the boar.”
A party spokesperson said the decision to ban Malema was “a reflection of the continued control of the political process in the UK by the British monarchy, who clearly remain aggrieved by the EFF’s posture following the death of their Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor”.
World Affairs Correspondent
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