Johannesburg ( CNN ) -- An arrest warrant has been issued for Julius Malema , a youth leader in South Africa , his attorney said Friday . Neither she nor her client have been informed of the exact charges , said Nicqui Galaktiou . They are cooperating with authorities and expect to have a court appearance next week , she said . Malema was expelled from South Africa 's ruling African National Congress this year in the wake of a speech he made that was critical of President Jacob Zuma . In his comments , Malema suggested that Zuma was running the party in a dictatorial and intolerant way . `` It is under President Zuma that we have seen the youth of the ANC being traumatized , being expelled from their own home , '' Malema said , according to an ANC statement . `` It is under President Zuma we have seen a critical voice being suppressed . We have seen , under President Zuma , democracy being replaced with dictatorship . '' Malema and the ANC Youth League helped propel Zuma to power in 2009 . But in recent years , he has become one of Zuma 's fiercest critics , accusing the administration of failing to improve the lives of the poor . The youth leader has also been the subject of a criminal investigation by the national revenue service over allegations that he used his political position to influence the awarding of government contracts . He has denied the allegations .
Julius Malema 's attorney says she does not know specific accusations . The South African government has said it will investigate the allegations against Zuma, but denies any wrongdoing. The move came after he made a speech critical of President Jacob Zuma . The youth leader , who helped bring Zuma to power in 2009 , enjoys wide support .