ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has blamed "left-wing leaders who drink red wine" for his recent woes, the SABC reported yesterday.

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has blamed "left-wing leaders who drink red wine" for his recent woes, the SABC reported yesterday.

Speaking at an event in Polokwane to celebrate his 29th birthday, Malema denied any wrongdoing on his part. He accused the media of reporting negatively about him.

He said he would not be silenced in the fight against corruption, which affected the poor.

Malema has come under fire in the past weeks for his involvement with a company that won lucrative government contracts in Limpopo.

Several newspapers reported that he bankrolled a lavish lifestyle with government contracts.

At the birthday event at Seshego Stadium, Limpopo SA Communist Party and local government and housing MEC Soviet Lekganyane said corrupt people were dragging Malema's name through the mud.

Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale, who also attended, said the media had something against the ANC leadership.

"We are calling on our journalists to report critically about the things we do, we have no problem, but report in such a manner that you are critical but factual.

"Don't sensationalise things in the name of media freedom - we don't need that kind of media freedom in South Africa. Equally we don't need praise singers,"

Mathale said the province would continue to support Malema as long as he was a part of the ANC. - Sapa