JOHANNESBURG - Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema is facing bankruptcy following his fight with South African Revenue Services (Sars) over R16m ($1,9m) in outstanding taxes.

Rapport reports that many of former friends and partners have forsaken him.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday paper, Malema told how he was being avoided as if he had leprosy by people who had been his friends until recently.

Some of Malema’s former business partners have allegedly turned against him and would become state witnesses in the case of racketeering, money laundering and corruption against Malema and three others.

Malema stands accused of using his political influence to make lucrative business deals through a series of companies.

An infrastructure contract of R52m ($6m) was the heart of the case against him.

Malema has taken responsibility for his tax account and is apparently prepared to pay R4m ($460 000) of the outstanding R16m ($1,9m) but sources indicate that this is not deemed sufficient.

Malema has insisted: “There is not a cent coming from drugs or the underworld. My life is an open book.” — Rapport