Malema accuses UK ‘deliberate’ visa denial
Julius Malema has lashed out at British authorities after he was denied a visa to the UK.
The EFF leader had been invited to address students at the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference at Cambridge University on Saturday.
But the party says Malema was informed, hours before his flight, that his visa would not be processed in time.
The EFF's Thembi Msane says the party leader was already at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, preparing to check in, when he received a "letter of regret" from the British High Commission.
Speaking to the SABC, she said they view the denial as deliberate.
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"The letter specifically states that the issue is not on our side because we had applied on time. It basically says to us that it is a bureaucratic system that is being used to play politics in denying our Commander in Chief in addressing this important event.
"The topic is The Making of Africa's Future Presidents. It might have been a problem for the United Kingdom in accepting a leader such as the Commander in Chief in addressing this prestigious occasion."
The BBC News, which said it had seen a copy of the letter, reported that the High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, has apologised to Malema.
He explained the reasons for not being able to process the application in time were due to the required steps and the timing of recent public holidays in the UK.
The report said the application fee would be refunded.
