SA's Malema answers corruption charges

POLOKWANE

Populist firebrand Julius Malema arrived at a South African police station Wednesday to answer corruption charges, paving the way for a politically charged court appearance later in the day.

Malema faces charges that include money laundering, fraud and corruption linked to public tenders, according to draft court documents seen by AFP.

Malema denies the charges, and his supporters say the prosecution is political motivated.

The former ANC high-flyer has been locked in a high-profile and long-running spat with his former comrades in the ruling party and with its leader, President Jacob Zuma.

Police issued an arrest warrant on Friday for Malema, a former ANC Youth League leader, shortly after he seized on unrest at South Africa's mines to launch political attacks against Zuma.

Malema voluntarily turned himself in on Wednesday, appearing at a police station in his home region of Limpopo, where the fraud is alleged to have taken place. He was expected to appear in court later.

Hundreds of vocal supporters flanked the entrance to the station in Polokwane as Malema arrived, with some sporting placards warning "all hell will break lose" if he is found guilty.

The charges against Malema and his business colleagues detail a complex pyramid of companies accused of lying and influence peddling to gain an infrastructure contract in Malema's home province of Limpopo, worth 52 million rand ($6.3 million, 4.9 million euros.)

The proceeds are alleged to have been used to help buy Malema a Mercedes Benz Viano and a large farm.

Four of Malema's associates faced similar charges on Tuesday. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The case was postponed to November 28.

Ahead of his appearance police beefed up security around the courthouse and police station, unfurling coils of razor wire and forcing road closures.

Police warned they would not tolerate any violence.

"No lawlessness will be tolerated and those who break the law will be arrested immediately," police spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said, adding that dangerous weapons like firearms, knives, machetes and sticks were banned.

In a country racked with poverty and inequality, Malema's combative rhetoric has struck a cord with some.

On the eve of Malema's arrival several hundred people gathered for a night vigil in a local hall where supporters sang pro-Malema songs and slammed the criminal charges as a bid to silence the 31-year-old.

"To us what's happening is not an issue of criminality, but it's a political ploy," said supporter Given Mathye, wearing a t-shirt with Malema's face above a slogan "The Fearless Fighter" and a silhouette of a rifle.

"We know they want to stop him because of the conference that is coming in December -- because we want a change of leadership," he added, referring to year-end elections for the ruling ANC's top posts.

Malema, the former leader of the African National Congress's Youth League who was expelled from the ANC earlier this year, has called for Zuma's removal, just as potential candidates jockey for position ahead of the internal polls.

The party booted out the rabble-rouser in April for ill-discipline and after he was convicted of hate speech in a civil case last year.

Further compounding Malema's woes, he is also the subject of a separate tax probe. The country's revenue service told AFP on Tuesday it had been granted an order to recover back taxes Malema allegedly owes.

Malema owed at least 16 million rand ($2 million, 1.5 million euros), spokeswoman Marika Muller said.

Malema's court appearance was not related to tax evasion, she added.

The League has been highly influential in South African politics, acting as a crucible for the careers of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo.

Despite his pro-poor stance, Malema's love of luxury has raised eyebrows. He is a lover of designer clothes and fast cars, lives in an upmarket Johannesburg suburb, and owns a Breitling watch worth some 250,000 rand ($32,000, 23,000 euros).

Using a flare-up of wildcat mining strikes to attack his enemies within the party, Malema has called for the mines to be made "ungovernable".

Violence during a strike at a mine in Marikana left 46 dead, 35 of whom were killed by police.