South African opposition politician reacts angrily after not receiving an entry visa into Britain.

Julius Malema, South African opposition politician and fiery critic of President Jacob Zuma, says he has been denied entry to attend an academic conference taking place on 10 May in London.

Malema said the UK had failed to provide any “substantial justification” for its decision and perceived it as an attempt by their government to silence dissenting political perspectives.

Antony Phillipson, the UK’s High Commissioner to South Africa, has written to Malema’s deputy to inform them that the Home Office has failed to process Malema’s visa application in time.

Malema, leader of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in South Africa, has long been known for his fierce opposition against “Western imperialism”, advocating instead the nationalisation of white-owned land across his nation.

EFF is South Africa’s fourth-biggest political party, garnering 9.5% of national voter share during last year’s national elections.

Home Office representatives informed BBC reporters that they do not comment on individual cases.

EFF officials stated on X that the High Commission “actively delayed processing and approval” of their leader’s visa so he couldn’t speak at Cambridge on 10 May.

He had been invited by the African Society at his university to deliver an address for its Africa Together Conference, the EFF reported.

Mr Phillipson wrote a genuine letter, which the BBC confirmed, in which he apologized personally for delays in processing their visa applications due to legal requirements and recent UK bank holidays.

Since last week, he had taken an intensely personal interest in this issue.

“This decision may be deeply disappointing, given that your delegation applied and paid for priority service in advance,” wrote Phillipson to Godrich Gardee of EFF.

Mr Phillipson confirmed that the Home Office had agreed to refund his application fee.

Malema reported on X that EFF representatives had been promised everything would be in place before departing; instead they received a regret letter just hours before.

“This behavior is unacceptable and shameless,” said Mr. Lepore.

On 5 May, Britain celebrated a national bank or public holiday.