Julius Malema charged with money laundering

A South African court charged Julius Malema with money laundering Wednesday, and the firebrand politician scoffed at the accusations and riled up his supporters moments after his release on bail.

The former youth leader went into an anti-government tirade after his release.

He said the charge against him is politically motivated by President Jacob Zuma.

Speaking into a microphone, Malema, who appeared without his trademark beret and donned a dark suit and burgundy tie for the hearing, addressed his raucous supporters near the court.

He belittled the allegations against him as minor, saying the president told authorities to "just arrest him for anything."