"All charges, it's a political conspiracy by [Zuma] and his administration," Malema told the Polokwane Magistrate's Court, where he appeared on corruption charges.
Malema is accused of making nearly R4-million from corrupt activities. He is out on bail of R10 000 and faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering, and racketeering.
His co-accused are his business associates Kagisho Dichabe, Lesiba Gwangwa, Helen Moreroa, and Makgetsi Manthata, who are out on bail of R40 000 each.
The state and the defence teams argued for and against the matter being postponed on Thursday. The court was expected to transfer the matter to the high court and set a trial date.
Malema told the court he fears the delay in setting a trial date for his case could jeopardise the launch of his new political party.
He told the court it was difficult for him to find people who could fund his party, and also to get voters.
He said this was because no one wanted to be associated with a leader who was facing a jail sentence.
"The sooner this case is finished, the better. I am in the process of forming a [political] party," he said.
Malema blamed Zuma for some of his troubles.
"It becomes impossible to convince people to join the party. President Zuma has done everything to make sure that I lost everything and block whoever is linked with Malema," he told the court.
"We tried farming. They come and take away everything."
The state alleges the accused misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52-million contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.
According to court papers, Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, a director of On-Point Engineering. Malema's Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point.
Claimed innocence
​The department paid the company R43-million. According to the charge sheet, Malema substantially benefited from this payment, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz.
Malema allegedly did this knowing the money formed part of the proceeds of crime.
All five have proclaimed their innocence.
Around 11am, the legal team representing Malema and his business associates Kagisho Dichabe, Lesiba Gwangwa, Helen Moreroa, and Makgetsi Manthata, argued against the state's request for a postponement.
Unlike at earlier appearances, there were no supporters picketing outside the court. Bystanders seemed surprised at the police presence and closed streets around the court.
Malema also faces charges of tax evasion to the tune of R16-million after it was revealed that he was linked to companies that obtained other lucrative contracts from the Limpopo government.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has since applied to have Malema sequestrated in an attempt to recoup monies owed to it.
Malema's Schuilkraal farm went under the hammer earlier this month, selling for R2.5 million.
Park Village Auctions sold off the R4-million farm outside Polokwane to bidder Callie Calitz of Wencor Holdings. Calitz's company owns a farm neighbouring Malema's property.
This is Malema's second piece of immovable property to be sold off.
Malema's incomplete Sandown mansion fetched R5.9-million in May. The money went towards settling the R16-million that Malema owes Sars.
Malema told the court life had not been easy for him since his expulsion from the ruling party.
"It has been very difficult. I depend on generosity. It is not donation. If I say donation, I will be in trouble with the taxman," he said.
Malema last appeared in court in April, when the case was postponed. Then magistrate Jenine Unger remanded the matter after a request for a change in defence counsel for Dichabe.
Malema was found guilty by the national disciplinary committee (NDC) of sowing divisions within the ruling party in November 2011 and was sentenced to a five-year suspension from the ANC.
He was found to have done so by unfavourably comparing the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma to that of former president Thabo Mbeki, and for remarks on bringing about regime change in Botswana.
His suspension was turned into an expulsion after Malema appealed the sentence and the NDCA granted the young firebrand and the ANC the opportunity to argue in mitigation of the original sentence.
The NDCA also upheld then league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu's original three-year suspension. This was decreased from the five-year revised suspension that was handed down by the ANC national disciplinary committee after arguments in mitigation of sentence were heard.
Former league secretary general Sindiso Magaqa was not as lucky as Shivambu as he was slapped with a one-year suspension, after initially receiving a three-year suspended sentence.
Since his political demise the youth league's executive was disbanded by the ANC and the youth body is currently being led by an interim committee appointed by the ANC. – Sapa