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(CNN) -- South African firebrand politician Julius Malema appears in court Wednesday to face corruption accusations that his supporters say are politically motivated.

Malema -- once a major ally of the nation's president -- is now one of his fiercest critics. His populist rhetoric has made him a divisive figure in the nation, and sparked outrage in the ruling party.

He is accused of influencing government contracts by favoring his associates, while he was the youth leader of the ruling party. The 31-year-old, who was thrown out of the party this year, has denied the allegations.

A court issued an arrest warrant for him last week, but his exact charges are unclear, according to his lawyers.

Malema's supporters have said he is facing persecution for challenging President Jacob Zuma's leadership before a December vote for head of the powerful ruling party, the African National Congress.

Police closed roads and beefed up security near the court in Polokwane to ward off potential protests in his support.

"Members of the public are advised that only a limited number of people will be allowed into the courtroom," police said in a statement. "No dangerous weapons, such as firearms, knives, pangas ... will be allowed onto the court premises as well as surrounding areas."

Malema's brash, populist message resonates with some of the nation's disfranchised, who took to the streets in protest when he was ousted from the ruling party. The party, accusing him of sowing division and hate speech, first suspended him, then shot down his appeal and expelled him in April.

Once a big supporter of Zuma, the two have broken ties despite Malema's role in propelling Zuma to power in 2009. Malema was instrumental in the president's election and traipsed the nation campaigning on his behalf.

In recent years, he has accused his administration of intolerance and failure to improve the lives of the poor.

The controversial former youth leader has also called for nationwide strikes in the mining industry, dismaying politicians trying to quell labor discontent among workers.

His calls came after police killed 34 striking mine workers in August during the miners' labor protests to demand higher pay. The killings -- one of the deadliest attacks since the end of apartheid -- sparked a firestorm in the nation.

Malema's controversial road to fame includes his calls to seize white-owned farms in South Africa, especially incendiary in a nation with a history of racial tensions.

The self-described "economic freedom fighter" has renewed his calls for nationalization of mines, unnerving potential investors.