Malema charged with money laundering

POLOKWANE: South African populist firebrand Julius Malema was charged with money laundering and released on bail yesterday as he and his supporters derided what they said was a show trial.
The former ANC high-flyer was charged with “money laundering, of receiving the proceeds of unlawful activities,” prosecutor Billy Moalosi told the court.
The charges detail a complex pyramid of companies linked to Malema,
He is 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.
A police spokesperson said the charge could result in up to 15 years in prison and a large fine.
The case was adjourned to Nov. 30. During yesterday’s hearing Malema did not enter a plea.
But after being released on bail he told supporters that the case was punishment for a high-profile dispute with President Jacob Zuma.
“Some people have taken a decision to conspire against me and bring some charges,” he said.
“They are trying to get something against me, they are sent by Jacob Zuma.”
Police issued an arrest warrant for the former ANC Youth League leader on Friday, shortly after he seized on unrest at South Africa’s mines to launch political attacks against Zuma.
“These charges which they’ve brought against me, they will not affect me in any way. I am unshaken. I am not intimidated by nonsense,” he said.
Malema turned himself in yesterday, appearing first at a police station and then in court, where, sporting a dark suit, red tie and white shirt, he appeared relaxed.
Hundreds of his fans were waiting outside, many sporting combative placards attacking Zuma, whose African National Congress (ANC) expelled Malema earlier this year.
One warned “all hell will break lose” if he is found guilty.
Ahead of his appearance, police beefed up security around the courthouse and police station, unfurling coils of razor wire and forcing road closures.
Officers carried riot shields and deployed a water cannon on the scene.
Police who had warned they would not tolerate any violence, said they had not encountered any problems.
In a country racked with poverty and inequality, Malema’s rhetoric has struck a chord with some.
But it has also proved embarrassing for ANC leaders and in particular Zuma, who faces a possible leadership challenge in December and who has at times appeared to struggle to rein in his younger rival.
Although the party expelled Malema in April for ill-discipline — and following a conviction for hate speech in a civil case last year — he still retains a power base within the ANC Youth League.