"Mr Julius Malema was arrested by the high speed unit in the Vaal on the N1 driving 215km/h in a 120km/h zone," spokeswoman Busaphi Nxumalo said.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema was arrested on Thursday evening for speeding, Gauteng traffic police said.

"Mr Julius Malema was arrested by the high speed unit in the Vaal on the N1 driving 215km/h in a 120km/h zone," spokeswoman Busaphi Nxumalo said.

"He is charged with reckless and negligent driving and for exceeding the general speed limit."

She said it was unclear if Malema would spend the night in jail because Malema was waiting for his lawyers.]

He would appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Friday.

He was detained around 7.25pm and was taken to the Barrage police station, but would be transferred to the Vanderbijlpark police station.

Malema was still in police custody at 11pm on Thursday night

"If he is granted bail he will only appear in court on Monday but if he does not get bail, he will appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Friday," spokeswoman Busaphi Nxumalo said.

"The matter was handed over to national police to determine bail."

A disgruntled Malema later tweeted that he had been given R5000 bail while Hofmeyer only had to pay R500 for the same charge.

Julius Sello Malema @Julius_S_Malema: "Afrikaneer male Steve is given a bail of R500 & the black African child Malema is given a bail of R5000 for the same charge in a "free" SA"