S. African Political Leader Loses Bid To Have Corruption Charges Dropped

One of South Africa's most charismatic politicians, who led the ruling ANC's youth wing until his expulsion last year, Malema now heads the ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). He appeared at the court, but had his application dismissed.He is accused of making nearly four million rand (almost 400,000 U.S dollars) from corrupt activities and is currently released on bail of 10,000 rand. In total, Malema faces charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and racketeering.

Judge Ephraim Makgoba said the case against Malema and four others would go ahead next year as scheduled, unless the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided to drop the charges.

Malema is one of five facing graft charges over state contracts. The State alleges Malema and the others misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to the fraudulent awarding of a R52 million (over five million U.S dollars) contract to On-Point Engineering, from which Malema's Ratanang Family Trust also benefited.

His ultra-left party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is a little over 100 days old, but has been recruiting aggressively in townships and shanty towns, targeting the millions of young South Africans disaffected by the slow pace of change two decades after the end of apartheid.

The EFF's populist message of expropriation of land and nationalisation of mines and banks has resonated with many young blacks in a country where unemployment is still above 25 percent and there are widespread perceptions of inefficiency and corruption in connection with the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994.