The former ANC youth leader was charged with money laundering.
The trial of former African National Union, ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema opened yesterday September 26 in Polokwane in Limpopo Province. Reuters news agency said Malema appeared briefly in court to be charged with money-laundering and receiving proceeds from unlawful activities.
Addressing hundreds of supporters outside the court later, Malema said he was unshaken by the charges and vowed to continue his fight for what he described as economic freedom. The case had earlier been postponed to November 30 and Malema granted bail of 10,000 Rand (about FCFA 620,000) and ordered to report to the police. Prior to yesterday’s court appearance, Malema’s four associates and co-accused, had earlier on Tuesday September 25 been granted bail.
Lesiba Gwangwa, Kagisho Dichabe, Makgetsi Manthata and Helen Moreroa told Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in their bail application statements that they maintained their innocence and intended to plead not guilty to the charges against them, the Irish Times newspaper reported. The four were released on 40,000 Rand (about FCFA 2.4 million) bail each. They are accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to a 52 million Rand contract (about FCFA 3.2 billion) awarded by Limpopo Provincial Government’s Department of Roads and Transport to the On-Point Engineers Company. Four other companies were also charged for the same contract.
At least 500 Malema supporters held a vigil in Polokwane, capital of his home Province of Limpopo on the eve of the trial. The expelled ANC youth leader’s appearance in court yesterday was welcomed with singing and dancing. Malema’s family and supporters stood up in court and sang loudly when he entered the dock. They sang: “Asani mahloni”, meaning, “We are not ashamed;” but court officials did not stop the singing.
Julius Malema is well-known in South Africa for his fiery populist rhetoric and lavish lifestyle, describing himself as an economic freedom fighter. The 31-year-old politician was thrown out of the ANC in April, accused of sowing divisions in the party. He is a fierce critic of his former ally, President Jacob Zuma and recently criticized him over his handling of the Marikana miners' strikes.
