General News

‘Hamas, Hezbollah support reason for SA’s opposition leader visa denial’

Date: Jun 19, 2025

The United Kingdom’s (UK) Home Office says  South Africa’s (SA) opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah, considered terrorist organisations by the country.

UK says his support for groups is the reason why he was denied a visit visa.

This was stated in a letter to Malema by the Home Office earlier this week after he applied for a visit visa to the European country on April 10 this year following an invitation to address Cambridge University students.

The UK says that according to its Terrorism Act of 2000, it is a criminal offence to invite support for organisations forbidden in law due to their extremist nature, which he has done in his multiple statements in support of Hamas in particular.

It says that Malema may exercise his right to freedom of expression via modern means of communication, however these expressed in person in that country may endanger public safety and incite disorder or crime.

The Home Office says his future visa applications will likely to be refused unless new evidence emerges as to his changed circumstances or views.

--SABC--

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