An unshaken Julius Malema has flexed his political muscle on an "illiterate" President Jacob Zuma, boasting he still commands support from youth around the country - some of whom bunked school and braved the scorching sun outside the Polokwane regional court.

Addressing a crowd outside the court where he appeared to face money laundering charges yesterday, Malema boasted that he still commanded more support than the "illiterate Zuma".

Malema danced at the back of a bakkie, telling supporters that Zuma - who "dodged" his own "700 fraud and corruption charges" in 2005 - had influenced charges brought against him.

"I've never taken part in any criminal activity. What you see is what you get. The illiterate Jacob Zuma told them in isiZulu to come and arrest me.

"They brought me here for nothing. Those thieves, including (Zuma), just want to appear on TV," he said to roaring applause from his supporters.

The ANC later stated that Zuma or any of its leaders had played no role in Malema's charges.

Malema was initially told he faced three charges - fraud, corruption and money laundering.

But this changed yesterday when he reported at Polokwane police station where he was charged only with money laundering.

Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela said the minimum charge for this Schedule 1 offence could carry a maximum of 15 years sentence.

He also could not confirm if further charges would be instituted against Malema ahead of his appearance with four other business associates on November 30.

But the unfazed Malema told his supporters: "I have a solid legal team, and we will emerge victorious."

He said his white lawyers, who went against their critics to represent him, were driven by justice and not the colour of their skins.

He lambasted the government for spending "millions" to investigate a politically motivated case against him.

Together with some youth league leaders, they chanted anti-Zuma slogans and praised Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe as their president and Fikile Mbalula as their secretary.

Malema, who was earlier granted R10000 bail, told the crowd that Zuma would have his day in court as soon as he was dethroned in Mangaung, where the ANC will elect its new leadership.

A group of pupils, some from Motlakaneng Secondary School where Malema matriculated, said they were bused-in by regional leaders to support "our brother". - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za