Polokwane – Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema is accused of making nearly R4 million from corrupt activities, in papers filed in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.

“The accused (Malema) did unlawfully and intentionally acquire ownership… of the amount of money,” according to the charge sheet.

Malema did this “well knowing” – or ought to have reasonably known (that) the money “formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities”, it alleged.

He appeared in court on Wednesday on a charge of money-laundering, and was released on bail of R10 000.

According to the court papers, Malema had clear business ties with On-Point Engineers director Lesiba Gwangwa.

It was alleged that On-Point was fraudulently awarded a R53m tender by the Limpopo department of roads and transport, and that R43m of this had been paid by the department.

“During September 2009 the Limpopo department… identified the need for the establishment of a Programme Management Unit (PMU) to assist it with infrastructure, as the department did not allegedly have the capacity to manage this function.”

The charge sheet stated that the company’s services were to be used for three years as a PMU.

It was required that the company’s management be multi-disciplinary, consisting of architects, land surveyors and engineers.

The company also needed to have experience and knowledge in the design and construction of roads, traffic stations, overload control, cost centres and airport infrastructure.

However, it was alleged that On-Point was not multi-disciplinary, and that the people whose names it submitted as part of its executive were never employed by the company.

On-Point was accused of pretending to have extensive experience and knowledge, when in fact it had existed for only one month at the time it submitted its bid.

It had stated on its tender application that it had nine years of experience.

According to the charge sheet, Malema substantially benefited from the tender payment, using it to fund a farm worth R3.9m and to pay R382 655 for a Mercedez-Benz Viano.

Charges of corruption were brought against On-Point, Gwama Properties, Segwalo Engineering, and Oceanside Trading.

On Tuesday, four people, including Malema’s business associate Lesiba Gwangwa, appeared in court and were granted bail of R40,00

each.

They are accused of fraud, corruption and money-laundering relating to the tender.

Malema will appear in court again on November 30. – Sapa