Judge throws out fraud case against South African firebrand Malema


Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema arrives with members of his party for President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address in Cape Town February 12, 2015. REUTERS/Nic Bothma/Pool

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A judge threw out corruption charges against South African opposition firebrand Julius Malema on Tuesday, a ruling hailed as a major victory by the vocal critic of President Jacob Zuma.

Malema had been accused of money laundering, racketeering and fraud relating to government contracts. But Judge George Mothle said he had waited too long for his trial after a string of postponements, and told him: "You are free to go."

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