POLOKWANE – Julius Malema and his co-accused Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagisho Dichabe appeared briefly in the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Monday morning.
The trial was postponed to Tuesday after the defence team of Dichabe requested a separate trial due to their client being hospitalised.
Malema, flanked by EFF leadership, arrived shortly before 10:00 and was escorted inside the court.
Malema is facing charges including racketeering, fraud and corruption, along with his co-accused Gwangwa and Dichabe.
Malema and his business partners were previously accused of misrepresenting themselves to the department of roads and transport which allegedly lead to a R52 million contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.
Security outside the court was tight as Malema supporters gathered a few metres from the court building, wearing red shirts and singing pro-Malema songs.
Streets leading to the court building were closed to traffic as police set up a security perimeter, using barbed wire, to prevent motorists and pedestrians from using the street.