According to the EFF, Malema had submitted his visa application well in advance and had paid for the UK’s priority processing service. However, the application was not completed in time, barring him from traveling to the UK for the event. The delay prompted strong criticism from both Malema and the EFF, who labeled the incident an “intentional political ban.”

British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson acknowledged the issue and offered an apology to Malema, stating that visa applications are processed by the UK Home Office and that he had no authority to influence decisions. Phillipson also confirmed that the application fees would be refunded.

Despite the apology, Malema condemned the delay as politically charged, accusing the UK of attempting to silence dissenting political voices from the Global South. “This is not just a bureaucratic failure; it is a political statement,” he said.

The EFF echoed this sentiment, stating in a release that the visa issue reflects a broader pattern of undermining critical voices on international platforms. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of how systems of power are weaponized to suppress alternative political narratives,” the party stated.

The Africa Together Conference is a prestigious event hosted by Cambridge University, bringing together African leaders, academics, and change-makers from across the continent and diaspora to discuss pressing socio-political issues.

While the UK government has not issued a broader statement on the matter, the controversy is expected to fuel further discussions on freedom of movement and political discrimination in international diplomacy.

In the video Malema said, “These people, when you want to hit them hard, go after a white man. They feel terrible pain because you have touched a white man. We’re cutting the throat of whiteness.”

Elon Musk took to X, demanding that Julius Malema be immediately sanctioned and declared an international criminal. In response, Malema accused Musk of being a “direct beneficiary of apartheid” and asserted that he would continue his fight for the equality of black people.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, dismissed Musk’s comments, stating that the party would not be intimidated or back down from its strong commitment to confronting imperialism and its supporters, like Musk, wherever they appear.

Thambo emphasized that the EFF was not surprised by Musk’s remarks, stating that Malema’s stance on African struggles and his opposition to Western imperialism naturally made him an enemy of the “global capitalist establishment.” She went on to say that Musk’s interference in South Africa’s internal affairs was unacceptable, describing him as an imperialist attempting to undermine the country’s sovereignty through sanctions and efforts to strain relations between South Africa and the United States.

“The EFF declares Musk an enemy of South Africa and a captor of US governance, whose actions will ultimately lead to that nation’s downfall,” Thambo added.

Tensions between South Africa and the US have been rising recently, particularly due to the ICC case endorsed by President Ramaphosa and the new Expropriation Act. The EFF has also made it clear that Musk’s Starlink must comply with South African laws, specifically the requirement for 30% local ownership, if it is to operate in the country.

“Elon Musk has captured the US presidency and is using his office to further his global business interests. His harmful influence must be opposed by all nations that value their sovereignty and independence,” Thambo concluded.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA), although initially part of the government of national unity, has also expressed strong opposition to the Expropriation Bill. The DA stated that while they support the Constitution’s provisions for redress and restitution, they have significant concerns regarding the procedure and specific provisions within the Bill. The party has pledged to challenge the Expropriation Bill in court, arguing that it could be detrimental to property rights and economic stability.

Other political parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), have joined the DA in opposing the bill, highlighting the growing divide over how best to handle land reform in South Africa.

The debate surrounding the Expropriation Act continues to stir tensions, with both the EFF and DA pushing for changes they believe are necessary to better address the nation’s land reform issues.