By Zukile Majova
- Julius Malema was denied a UK visa just hours before his flight, despite being told the issue would be resolved.
- The EFF leader blames foreign governments and AfriForum for trying to silence his political activism.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema is fuming after being denied a visa to travel to London for a political conference.
Malema revealed on social media that British authorities blocked his travel plans without giving what he called a “substantial justification”.
The EFF leader, who has often criticised former colonial powers like the UK, waited at OR Tambo International Airport hoping officials would change their decision.
He said: “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 promised that everything would be sorted by 15:30.
“Instead, we received a regret letter just four hours before our departure.
“This is unacceptable and spineless.”
This visa snub could be the first of many travel restrictions for Malema. He is expected to be one of several South African political leaders targeted by sanctions from the United States and other Western countries.
Malema has come under fire for his inflammatory political messages, including encouraging land invasions and using struggle songs with lyrics calling for violence against white people.
He famously revived the controversial apartheid-era protest song “Ayesaba Amagwala”, which includes the line “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer”. The song has faced criticism for fuelling racial tension in democratic South Africa.
AfriForum, a group representing Afrikaner interests, has asked the US government to impose sanctions on Malema and block his international travel, accusing him of spreading hate speech.
AfriForum leader Kallie Kriel said: “Great news! This is only the beginning. AfriForum is intensifying its international campaign, calling on the global community to take punitive action against Julius Malema for inciting violence against Afrikaners and farmers with the “Kill the Boer” chant.
“South African courts have failed to protect Afrikaners from calls for violence against them, and the president has refused to condemn the hateful chant. To ensure that Malema cannot act with impunity, international intervention is now necessary.”Pictured above: Julius Malema
Image source: EFF
