South African Court Drops Malema Fraud Case

The head of South Africa's second largest opposition party, and President Jacob Zuma's most vocal critic, has had corruption charges dramatically thrown out of court.

Julius Malema, who runs the country's Economic Freedom Fighters party and is a former leader of the African National Congress' (ANC) youth wing, appeared in court charged with money laundering.

But the judge struck off the case saying Mr Malema had waited too long to stand trial.

The corruption charges were first brought in 2012 and related to a 52 million Rand (£2.6m) government contract awarded to On-Point Engineering, a company in which he held a stake through a family trust.

Mr Malema had been accused of misrepresenting himself to the state transport department over a deal to build roads in his home town, leading to the contract being awarded to On-Point.

The controversial 34-year-old had posed in a dark suit and red tie before the hearing in Polokwane, Limpopo, while some of his family members told reporters they were praying for him.

"Let me have my day in court, let me speak for myself, let my side of the story be heard," he told supporters before entering the court house.

Mr Malema had insisted the legal proceedings were part of a political plan to silence him and curb his ability to criticise the government, in particular, President Zuma.

Mr Malema is no stranger to controversy in South Africa and is one of the country's most divisive figures - loved by millions and feared and despised by others.

He was previously a member of the ANC but was expelled in 2012 for bringing the party into disrepute after delivering a series of scathing speeches criticising President Zuma.