Cape Town - The ANC said it had not been slow in dealing with the controversial leader of its youth league, Julius Malema. This comes after Malema defiantly questioned the ANC and President Jacob Zuma for chiding him in public.

"We're on course," ANC spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi told News24.

Mnisi said the ANC had made its point to the youth league president in a statement and through a speech made by Zuma in Durban on Saturday.

In that address, Zuma spoke out against ill discipline among ANC "cadres", including those who continue to sing the now illegal "shoot the boer" struggle song.

Zuma chided Malema on his "regrettable and unacceptable" treatment of a BBC journalist and the ANCYL's support of the Zanu-PF.

'Leaders should think before they speak'

"We reiterate that leaders should think before they speak, as their utterances have wider implications for the country," said Zuma.

In response Malema reportedly said, "Even (former) president Thabo Mbeki, when he differed with the youth league, and the youth league had taken firm radical positions against him, he never did that."

"We don't regret how we addressed the matter," Mnisi told News24 on Monday. "We will continue to make an impression on him and the youth league's executive."

"It's unfortunate that he has chosen to react in the manner that he has," added Mnisi.

He said the ANC would look into whether Malema had at any point "crossed a line". Should it be found that he has, only then would the NEC deal with the matter.

He told News24 people should be mindful that this was a lengthy process. "We're not saying we're going to discipline him tomorrow or anything. The ANC moves at its own pace."

He emphasised that a meeting between the ANC and the ANCYL, the date not yet announced, was not a meeting about "individuals" but a meeting between structures of the party.

The ANCYL was not immediately available for comment

By News24