The United Kingdom has refused a visa application from Julius Malema, a radical left-wing politician from South Africa, citing concerns over his conduct, views, and associations, according to a report published by News24 on Wednesday.
The British visa office determined that Malema’s presence in the UK would not be “conducive to the public good”, particularly highlighting his outspoken support for Hamas, a Palestinian armed group banned in Britain. News24 reported having obtained a copy of the visa refusal letter. A British official, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed the accuracy of the report but declined to provide further details.
Malema, 44, leads South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a populist opposition party rooted in Marxist ideology and known for its anti-capitalist stance. His party has become famous for its theatrical protests and radical proposals, such as nationalising industries and redistributing land. Despite its visibility, the EFF secured only 9.5 percent of the vote in last year’s election, placing fourth overall and experiencing a drop in support.
The visa rejection letter reportedly referenced Malema’s statements in favour of arming Hamas, as well as his refusal in 2022 to assure South Africa’s Equality Court that he would no longer encourage violence against white South Africans. The letter stated: “Taking the above into account, your presence in the UK has been assessed as non-conducive to the public good on the grounds of your conduct, character and associations, which makes it undesirable to grant you entry.”
Malema has long courted controversy with inflammatory remarks. In one notable video shown by US President Donald Trump during an Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malema was seen chanting slogans and singing the contentious anti-apartheid song “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer.” Trump falsely characterised Malema as a government official to support unfounded claims of a “white genocide” occurring in South Africa.
While Malema and the EFF have attracted attention for their radical rhetoric, they remain a relatively small political force in South Africa’s post-apartheid landscape.
