The UK has barred Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), from entering the country.
In a letter dated June 17, 2025, the UK Home Office said Malema’s presence in the UK was “not conducive for public good”.
According to News24, the office added that future visa applications from the politician are also unlikely to succeed.
The UK government cited Malema’s “vocal support for Hamas”, including a speech delivered after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The UK also cited his call for the “slaughter of white people”.
“Any future UK visa applications you make will be considered on their individual merits, however, you are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change,” the letter reads.
“You have made statements in support of Hamas, an organisation who are proscribed in the United Kingdom.
“In an address outside the Israeli Embassy on the 23rd of October 2023, days after the October 7th 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’.
“During this same address, you state 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’.
“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’”.
“In February 2022 you appeared at the South African Equality Court after previously 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’.”
This is the second time Malema has been denied entry to the UK in two months. In denying him visa previously, the UK government had said his application came in late.
