A LAWYER for South African politician Julius Malema has said charges against her client are politically motivated and aimed at silencing his criticism of the regime.

Nicqui Galaktiou said neither she nor Malema had seen the warrant issued against him, although local press have reported the charges as money-laundering, corruption and fraud.

Malema, 31, is a fierce critic of President Jacob Zuma, whom he recently attacked over his handling of the Marikana miners' strikes, which descended into bloodshed.