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South Africa's Julius Malema "unshaken" by court charge | South Africa's Julius Malema "unshaken" by court charge |
(about 4 hours later) | |
South Africa's firebrand politician Julius Malema has told supporters he is "unshaken" after being charged in court with money laundering. | South Africa's firebrand politician Julius Malema has told supporters he is "unshaken" after being charged in court with money laundering. |
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds outside the court in Polokwane, Mr Malema vowed to continue his fight for "economic freedom". | Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds outside the court in Polokwane, Mr Malema vowed to continue his fight for "economic freedom". |
The case against him relates to a government tender awarded to a company partly owned by his family trust. | The case against him relates to a government tender awarded to a company partly owned by his family trust. |
Mr Malema, who has been granted bail, says the case is politically motivated. | Mr Malema, who has been granted bail, says the case is politically motivated. |
There was a heavy police presence outside the court from early in the morning, and long stretches of barbed wire fencing were put in place. | There was a heavy police presence outside the court from early in the morning, and long stretches of barbed wire fencing were put in place. |
Hundreds of supporters danced and sang songs denouncing President Zuma as they awaited Mr Malema's appearance. | Hundreds of supporters danced and sang songs denouncing President Zuma as they awaited Mr Malema's appearance. |
Many held up placards saying "Hands off our leader". | Many held up placards saying "Hands off our leader". |
He is accused of using his former position as the leader of the ANC's Youth League to enrich himself and his business partners. | He is accused of using his former position as the leader of the ANC's Youth League to enrich himself and his business partners. |
'What you see is what you get' | |
The BBC's Andrew Harding, outside court, says it had been widely anticipated that Mr Malema would face a broader raft of charges - including corruption and fraud. | The BBC's Andrew Harding, outside court, says it had been widely anticipated that Mr Malema would face a broader raft of charges - including corruption and fraud. |
The single charge came as a surprise to his supporters, and adds weight to the view of some that the case against him has been rushed, our correspondent says. | The single charge came as a surprise to his supporters, and adds weight to the view of some that the case against him has been rushed, our correspondent says. |
The court appearance comes less than a week after a warrant for his arrest was issued. | The court appearance comes less than a week after a warrant for his arrest was issued. |
Bail was set at 10,000 rand (£750). He is next due in court on November 30 in order to give the prosecution time to prepare their case. | Bail was set at 10,000 rand (£750). He is next due in court on November 30 in order to give the prosecution time to prepare their case. |
Nine others have been charged alongside Mr Malema. | Nine others have been charged alongside Mr Malema. |
Emerging from court, Mr Malema said "what you see is what you get". | Emerging from court, Mr Malema said "what you see is what you get". |
He then announced that he intended to visit a mine on Thursday in order to push for a wage strike. | He then announced that he intended to visit a mine on Thursday in order to push for a wage strike. |
He has been vocal in urging workers to make the mining sector "ungovernable" following the shooting of 34 miners in Marikana province by police in August. | He has been vocal in urging workers to make the mining sector "ungovernable" following the shooting of 34 miners in Marikana province by police in August. |
Julius Malema is well-known in South Africa for his fiery populist rhetoric and lavish lifestyle, describing himself as an economic freedom fighter. | Julius Malema is well-known in South Africa for his fiery populist rhetoric and lavish lifestyle, describing himself as an economic freedom fighter. |
The 31-year-old politician was thrown out of the ANC in April, accused of sowing divisions in the party. | The 31-year-old politician was thrown out of the ANC in April, accused of sowing divisions in the party. |
He is a fierce critic of his former ally, Jacob Zuma, recently attacking the president over his handling of the Marikana miners' strikes. | He is a fierce critic of his former ally, Jacob Zuma, recently attacking the president over his handling of the Marikana miners' strikes. |
Mr Malema is also the subject of a separate tax investigation. | Mr Malema is also the subject of a separate tax investigation. |