Security tightened for Malema court hearing South African police are taking no chances over the highly anticipated court appearance by Julius Malema, the militant former youth leader of the ruling African National Congress. With the populist critic of President Jacob Zuma expected in court in Polokwane, his home town in Limpopo province, on Wednesday, facing corruption-related charges, the police have given warning that security will be tight. A statement says no lawlessness will be tolerated, and no dangerous weapons, "such as firearms, knives, pangas [machetes], knobkerries [wooden clubs] will be allowed on the court premises as well as surrounding areas." The statement reflects concerns that Mr Malema's supporters may gather in large numbers at the court, but also comes as close as any state institution has so far to confirming publicly that an arrest warrant has been issued against Mr Malema, one of South Africa's most controversial figures. In the absence of clarity from the authorities, his supporters say the case against him is politically motivated. The ruling ANC, blighted by internal power struggles, holds a key leadership conference in December. On Tuesday, allies of Mr Malema, who has been vociferous in his criticism of the government since the killings at Marikana platinum mine last month, condemned "the use of state resources to settle political scores." His lawyers said on Friday that a warrant had been issued. But no government agency has publicly confirmed its existence, while Mr Malema's legal team say they have not seen it or any charges. However, they said on Tuesday that he would appear in court on Wednesday, following a request for his attendance by the Hawks, an elite police investigation unit. The Hawks have been probing Mr Malema's finances for more than a year after AfriForum, an Afrikaner rights group, asked the agency to investigate newspaper allegations that the Ratanang Family Trust, which is connected to Mr Malema, was being used to receive payments from businessmen. In return, it was alleged the businessmen received help in securing government contracts in Limpopo, with On-Point Engineering, which the Ratanang trust reportedly has an indirect shareholding in, also at the centre of the allegations. On Tuesday, four of Mr Malema's reported business associates, including an On-Point executive, were released on bail after appearing in court on fraud and corruption charges. The awarding of government tenders to connected individuals is one of the most common forms of corruption in South Africa. Mr Malema, 31, who was expelled form the ANC in April for indiscipline, has previously denied corruption allegations. Last year, he dismissed claims that the trust was a "secret fund," insisting it was tax-compliant and used to help "needy and poor citizens." A combative, streetwise political operator, Mr Malema claims to speak for South Africa's poor. He is also known for his expensive tastes and flamboyant lifestyle, while lambasting big business and "white capital." In recent weeks, he has whipped up a storm by using the Marikana mining crisis to lash out at the politically connected black business elite, unions and the government, while urging workers to make mines ungovernable. He has not commented on the warrant. The Hawks have also kept its silence. "Our standard procedure is that we don't comment on anything until such time that we have arrested a person or a person has handed themselves over to us," said McIntosh Polela, a Hawks spokesman. The ANC Youth League, which Mr Malema headed until his expulsion from the party, released a statement on Tuesday, saying: "Those who believe that arresting comrades will divert us from our mission for radical policy positions and leadership renewal at Mangaung [the venue for the party's December conference] shall be sorely disappointed."