Polokwane - There was a heavy police presence at the Polokwane High Court ahead of the trial of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema on charges of corruption and racketeering.
Malema and his two co-accused Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagisho Dichabe were expected to appear at 10am.
Malema supporters gathered a few metres from the court building wearing red shirts and singing pro-Malema songs.
Six streets leading to the court building was closed for traffic as police set up a security perimeter, using barb wire, to prevent motorists and pedestrians from using the street.
At around 9.30am Gwangwa arrived at court.
A man claiming to be a DA member and wearing a blue party shirt said he believed in Malema and that there was no justice in South Africa. He was holding up a poster that said he was 100 percent in support for Malema and “You will never put the movement down”.
A contingent of local and international media were gathered outside the courtroom ahead of court proceedings.
In September last year, the trial was postponed because some counsel were not available.
Malema and On-Point Engineering directors Gwangwa and Dichabe face charges of racketeering and 52 other counts, including fraud.
In March 2014, corruption charges against Malema’s business associates Selbie Manthatha, his wife Helen Moreroa and his brother Makgetsi Manthatha were dismissed. The three were initially charged with Malema, Gwangwa and Dichabe in September 2012. They were accused of misrepresenting themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52-million contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.
In court papers it was alleged that Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, and that Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point.
The State alleged that Malema substantially benefited from the tender payment of R43 million to On-Point, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz. Malema is out on R10 000 bail. The others are on bail of R40 000 each.
If Malema is convicted, he would lose his seat in Parliament.
ANA