Economic Freedom Fighters EFF leader Julius Malema has termed the denial of his visa to the United Kingdom as an act of cowardice. Malema was speaking at Ward 24 in Freedom Park, Soweto, just days before Wednesdays by-election.
They are cowards because when you disagree with someone, you do not have to ban them. Apartheid banned our leaders, apartheid banned Elias Motsoaledi, apartheid sent Elias Motsoaledi to prison for a very long time because they did not agree with his ideas. When you dont agree with people, you must not ban them because that is a sign of cowardice.
Malema adds that he was not ashamed of the visa denial.
It is Elon Musk, it is Donald Trump who want to criminalise me for speaking truth to power, and they want to declare me an international criminal. Whether they declare me an international criminal or not, whether they deny me a visa or not, Soweto will never deny me a visa. Soweto will always welcome me. I am proud to be in Soweto today. I dont feel ashamed that I was banned by London and gave me an opportunity to spend a day with my people, where I am received, where Im well loved, where ideas do not scare people.