JOHANNESBURG -  “I know where this story is coming from,” Mbalula told reporters in Johannesburg.

“In time that story will be told... but this is not the time.”

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the government was paying for Malema’s stay in a five-star London hotel through his association with Mbalula.

Mbalula denied the report.

People were trying to attack him and his integrity, he said.

“I took an oath as minister... I’m not corrupt. Unlike Jackie Selebi, these hands are clean,” he said. “I did not pay for Julius’’.

He challenged anyone who thought they had proof to ask the “very enthusiastic” public protector to investigate.

Mbalula said he was in London on an official visit as the minister of sport and to lead Team South Africa at the Olympics.

“It was no secret what we were doing in London. I did everything in London that I was supposed to do,” he said.

“We don’t need government money to fulfil our personal dreams. People want to rubbish our names.”

Mbalula said he was not responsible for Malema’s political programme as he was no longer an African National Congress member.

“Please ask him if you want to know, I’m not his spokesman.”

Mbalula did not deny that he saw Malema while he was in London.

“I meet Julius every day here in South Africa, why should London be an exception?” 

Just because Malema was no longer an ANC member there was no reason to not have a personal relationship with him, Mbalula said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is insisting the Sports Minister tell Parliament how much his department spent on its trip to London.

Democratic Alliance  MP Winston Rabotapi said in a statement, “the DA will not rest until we know how much of the people’s money Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has spent on this trip’’.

Rabotapi said Parliament was still awaiting answers to questions on how funding from the National Lottery and private sponsorships for the Olympics was used.
It was also waiting to hear how many officials from the department were attending the games.