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| South African Julius Malema's case thrown out | South African Julius Malema's case thrown out |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A court in South Africa has thrown out fraud and corruption charges against left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema. | A court in South Africa has thrown out fraud and corruption charges against left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema. |
| The case should be "struck off" because of lengthy delays in bringing him to trial, a judge ruled. | The case should be "struck off" because of lengthy delays in bringing him to trial, a judge ruled. |
| Mr Malema was charged in 2012 with money laundering, racketeering and corruption related to a government contract worth $4m (£2.5m). | Mr Malema was charged in 2012 with money laundering, racketeering and corruption related to a government contract worth $4m (£2.5m). |
| He denied the charges, and said they were politically motivated. | He denied the charges, and said they were politically motivated. |
| Mr Malema formed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in 2013 following his expulsion from the governing African National Congress (ANC). | Mr Malema formed the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in 2013 following his expulsion from the governing African National Congress (ANC). |
| He is a fierce critic of President Jacob Zuma, and has campaigned against corruption. | He is a fierce critic of President Jacob Zuma, and has campaigned against corruption. |
| 'Messed up case' | |
| Correspondents say the ruling is a big boost for Mr Malema's career, and will fuel perceptions that he is the victim of an abuse of power. | |
| Judge George Mothle said the case had dragged on for too long, and this was "prejudicial" to Mr Malema, South Africa's News24 site reports. | |
| "For now, the case is over, you are free to go," the judge told Mr Malema. | |
| However, he added, the defendant not been formally acquitted, so prosecutors could still charge him again. | |
| Addressing his cheering supporters outside court, Mr Malema said the prosecution had "messed up" its case. | |
| "Let them manufacture any new charges against me. They will never win," he said. | |
| "It is going to keep happening; there will be attempts on our lives," Mr Malema added. | |
| The charges related to a government contract awarded to a company in which Mr Malema held a stake through his family trust. | |
| The contract was for the construction of roads in Mr Malema's home region of Limpopo, when he was still the head of the governing party's youth wing. | |
| He was accused of "improperly" receiving money for the contract. |