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Julius Malema was charged with money laundering in the Polokwane Regional Court. The case was postponed to November 30, and he was granted bail of R10,000. Malema appeared with his business partner and co-accused Selbie Manthatha. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko, Reuters

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ANC renegade Julius Malema was charged with money laundering today. Prosecutors in Polokwane allege Malema “improperly received” R4,2 million in a conspiracy involving government tenders.

Malema scoffed at the charges after being released on bail of R10,000.

“I'm unshaken... I'll continue with the struggle for economic freedom,” he told supporters, adding he would visit a platinum mine run by Impala on Thursday to press for a wage strike there.

Proclaiming his innocence, he told supporters outside court: "Comrades... we are happy our charges are here. We are prepared to answer any questions and every question... because we are not hiding anything".

"Only criminals run away from the court."

Malema said his supporters needed to make sure President Jacob Zuma was not re-elected at the ANC's national conference in Mangaung.

"We must make sure Jacob Zuma does not become president of the ANC.... Remove him as a president," Malema said.

"Zuma has 700 charges against him. I only have one."

He said Zuma had to be officially charged and arrested.

"We are not like the head of state who runs away and calls for 'umshini wami' [machine guns] to shoot the courts," Malema said. "We want a laptop and an iPad so that we can prepare our answers."

Malema thanked the crowd for its support and for a night vigil held for him last night.

He also thanked the African National Congress Youth League's leadership, in particular spokeswoman Magdalene Moonsamy, for continuing to fight for him.

He also thanked his family, and especially his grandmother, who he said continued to receive threats.

"She has always said to me... if you believe in it, continue to fight for it."

He thanked the ANC provincial leadership for supporting him against "politically motivated charges".

"All of you, your efforts are recognised," he said.

He also thanked his lawyer, who he said had represented him despite criticism from other white people.

"They want justice to be served. That is why they took a decision to represent me... and my team will be victorious."

Malema said all institutions of government were investigating him. "I am subjected to harassment... and the media are taking sides. We will never tolerate dictatorship."

For his 10-minute hearing, Malema ditched his trademark Che Guevara-style black beret and white t-shirt in favour of a grey suit and white shirt. He emerged from the court smiling and waving and shook hands with his chanting supporters.

Ousted as leader of the ANC Youth League in April for ill-discipline, Malema has returned from the political wilderness with a vengeance in the past several weeks, stepping up public criticism against Zuma and the ANC hierarchy.

He had been under investigation for months for suspected corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to government contracts his political allies secured in Limpopo — a province where the Treasury says hundreds of millions of dollars go missing each year due to suspected graft.

His penchant for luxury cars, flashy Swiss watches and champagne parties has also attracted the attention of South Africa’s Revenue Service, which said at the weekend he owed R16 million in unpaid taxes.

Malema’s backers say the charges are politically motivated.

“This case is an abuse of power by Zuma against Malema,” supporter Sonett Masemola told Reuters outside the court.

Luterdo Mothurwane, dressed in ANC Youth League garb, said of Malema: “He gets more support than President Zuma because he is more in touch with the people and more intelligent”.

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Wed May 22 10:02:11 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 26, 2012

Ment'o

Let me tell you, you are tjatjarag.

"This is a building of a revolutionary party and you know nothing about the revolution.

"So here you behave or else you jump. Don't laugh.

"Chief, can you get security to remove this thing here. If you are not going to behave, we are going to get security to take you out. This is not a newsroom this, this is a revolutionary house and you don't come here with that white tendency, not here.

"You can do it somewhere else, not here. If you have got a tendency of undermining blacks even where you work, you are in the wrong place. Here you are in the wrong place.

"You can go out ... rubbish is what you have covered in that trouser - that is rubbish. That which you have covered in your clothes is rubbish, OK?

"You are a small boy. You can't do anything. Go out ... bastard! Go out! You bloody agent."


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Sep 26, 2012

MissBhakajuju

Malema takes 3 minutes out to sneeze !!!

Malema, smiles showing his colgate smile !!!

Malema looks at his Rollex watch, for 2 minutes !!

..... thats the next Sowetan Headlines..... obsession with our President Juju, is priceless !!!
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Sep 26, 2012

lindsay

really Sowetan how many pic of Malema did you take and are they all going to be followed by a story about the same thing but different topic stop being lazy i got news too i just sneezed write about that
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Sep 26, 2012

Papage

He wins the Sowetan news for the year
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Sep 26, 2012

Papage

Even Judges, just love him, he is a cute round thing, look at the smilling judge and he gave him R10 000 bail, thirty thousand less than his friends, ten minutes court appearence, how much did that cost the state? what a waste
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Sep 26, 2012

malemaforpresident

Scores of police deployed razor wire to block more than 1,000 Malema supporters from approaching the court compound.
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You see now Sowetan with lies i am from there maaaan we were more than 3000 dont fabricate things here are you Zoooma's camp Nxaaa

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Sep 26, 2012

ktzo

When the LORD is on our side who can be against us. GO julias remain focused on the job ahead, go Julias, remain unshaken. Dont worry about the miss falls you have done, that was due to immaturity, you are a man now and knows what is wrong from right. You have fought for us the powerless and the poor. keep on fighting.

Go Juju go.
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Sep 26, 2012

uMnuz

10 years from now let’s see, Malema will be working in McDonalds!!!! Good Lord, what a muppet.
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Sep 26, 2012

BiPolar

“I'm unshaken... I'll continue with the struggle for economic freedom,” he told supporters, adding he would visit a platinum mine run by Impala on Thursday to press for a wage strike there.
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Yes, Juju -- there is nothing to be afraid of!! Go on and fight for 'OUR' Economic Freedom
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Sep 26, 2012

KgoshiKgolo

May the Living God and Creator of all, bring a quick end to the existence of ANC and its rule in South Africa, may He Use his powerful Spirit of Fire to bring death of ANC and its spirit of corruption. May He also prevent The DA from ruling South Africa one day and destroy the satanic spirit of Nazism (superior race) that governs the DA. May he allow true democracy to the people to really elect their own leadres that they prefer. May all these happen for the love of the people of South Africa, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.

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