By Miranda Andrew, Malefane Mofokeng and Ahmed Areff
Expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema proclaimed his innocence on Wednesday (26/09/2012) after being granted bail by the Polokwane Regional Court, where he appeared on a charge of money-laundering.
"Comrades... we are happy our charges are here. We are prepared to answer any questions and every question... because we are not hiding anything,” he said.
"We are not like the head of state who runs away and calls for ’umshini wami’ [machine guns] to shoot the courts."
"We want a laptop and an iPad so that we can prepare our answers. Only criminals will run away.”
Malema was addressing supporters outside the court. He said his business associates who appeared in the same court on Tuesday were being punished because they were his allies. His supporters would also be punished.
Malema said his supporters needed to make sure President Jacob Zuma was not re-elected at the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung. ”We must make sure Jacob Zuma does not become (remain) president of the ANC... Remove him as a president,” he said.
”Zuma has 700 charges against him. I only have one.” He said Zuma had to be officially charged and arrested.
Malema thanked the crowd for its support and for a night vigil held for him on Tuesday. "Comrades I want to thank all of you for the support... and all of you who prayed that sanitation [sic] will prevail.” Malema was charged with money-laundering and granted bail of R10,000. The case was postponed until November 30.
He thanked the African National Congress Youth League’s leadership, in particular spokeswoman Magdalene Moonsamy, for continuing to fight for him against the media.
He also thanked his family, and especially his grandmother, who he said continued to receive threats. "She has always said to me... if you believe in it, continue to fight for it.” He thanked the ANC provincial leadership for supporting him against ”politically motivated charges”.
"All of you, your efforts are recognised,” he said.
He also thanked his lawyer, who he said had represented him despite criticism from other white people.
"They want justice to be served. That is why they took a decision to represent me... and my team will be victorious.” Malema said all institutions of government were investigating him.
"I am subjected to harassment... and the media are taking sides. We will never tolerate dictatorship,” he said.
"They put so many millions on one person and they can’t get anything.”
The case involving Malema and his associates is being investigated by the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit, the National Treasury and the SA Revenue Services.
He said certain members of the media conspired with the "dictatorship” against him and that they would not cover certain events, in the same way police had prevented him from addressing mine workers at Marikana. Sapa
