South Africa's EFF leader Julius Malema denied visa, banned from UK over 'extremist' views

South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. (Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Thursday, June 19, 2025

In a letter dated June 17, the UK Home Office informed Julius Malema that his public support for Hamas amid its ongoing conflict with Israel was a key factor in the decision not to renew his visa.

The United Kingdom has declined to renew the visa of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema, citing his alleged 'extremism' as the reason for his decision.

In a letter dated June 17, the UK Home Office informed Malema that his public support for Hamas amid its ongoing conflict with Israel was a key factor in the decision not to renew his visa.

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"In an address outside the Israeli Embassy on October 23, 2023, days after the October 7 attack on Israel, you stated that when your political party took over following the 2024 South African elections that you were 'going to arm Hamas and make sure Hamas got the necessary equipment to fight for their freedom," reads the letter seen by The Eastleigh Voice.

"During this same address, you stated that Hamas had no option but to fight for their freedom. Additionally, in October 2023 you posted on the EFF's X site in relation to the events on October the 7th that there 'is nothing wrong Hamas (sic) did".

The UK also cited another statement from Malema, issued in October 2024, in which he said Hamas' attacks on Israel were justified as part of Palestine's struggle for freedom. The Home Office further referenced an April 2024 post from the EFF that expressed full support for both Hamas and Hezbollah.

"In April 2024, the EFF, the political party which you lead, posted on X that the 'Palestinian people have the fullest right to take up arms against apartheid Israel, and that the EFF supports the armed struggle of Hamas and Hezbollah'."

Additionally, the UK pointed to Malema's controversial remarks at a February 2022 hearing at the South African Equality Court, where he was summoned for calling for the "slaughter of white people."

"During this appearance, the presiding judge requested that you never repeat such words in the future. "You responded that: 'I cannot guarantee the future. I am not a prophet. I said that if things don't change, there will be a revolution affecting all of us - and that will include me and black people in the suburbs," the letter reads.

The Home Office concluded that Malema's "presence in the UK has been assessed as non-conducive to the public good based on your conduct, character, and associations, making it undesirable to grant you entry."

According to the letter, Malema cannot appeal the decision. Any future visa applications of his would only be reconsidered if accompanied by "compelling new evidence."

EFF has since responded to the development, noting that the rejection of Malema's visa application was politically motivated.

"For a nation that preaches its commitment to democracy, the UK has revealed itself as an intolerant bully that seeks to impose its beliefs on the world without challenge, while denying democratically elected leaders of other nations the opportunity to express themselves in their country," said the party in a statement on X on Thursday.

EFF similarly noted that the South African Equality Court ruled that Malema never expressed any intention to slaughter white people in South Africa and that the singing of "kill the farmer, kill the boer" cannot be interpreted as a call for genocide.

"There is no judge of the Equality Court of South Africa who ever posed a question to the President of the EFF challenging him to declare that he will never slaughter white people or make such an utterance, it was in fact the incompetent lawyer of the racist AfriForum Mark Oppenheimer who posed this question," said EFF.

Further, the party maintained that neither Malema nor its members would trade their revolutionary beliefs for a visa.