"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. I will deal with it at an appropriate 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 could not understand why he needed to answer questions about other people's visits to the British capital.

He 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 spokesperson."

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.

"There are people who were expelled from the ANC in the past that I greet... some come to my private functions," he said, referring to United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa.

Holomisa was expelled from the ruling party in 1996.

Mbalula said this was called freedom of association.