The ANC has strongly condemned the behaviour of ANC Youth League President, Julius Malema at the press conference where he kicked out BBC journalist, Jonah Fisher, and called him a bastard and "bloody agent".

“The aggressive and insultive behaviour to the said journalist that culminated with Mr Fisher walking out of the Youth League press briefing cannot be condoned at all,” the organization said in a statement.

It said the “unfortunate outburst” by Malema did not only reflect negatively on him, but also reflected negatively on the ANCYL, the entire ANC family, their Alliance partners as well as South Africa in the eyes of the international community.

“The behaviour in question, by the ANCYL president is not in keeping with the culture and traditions as well as conduct of a cadre and leader of the ANC. No amount of alleged provocation that was directed to Julius Malema could justify such a response,” the organization said.

The organization said the matter could have been handled differently. “The leadership abilities and qualities of the position that Julius Malema holds, should have prepared him to deal with the issue in a manner that demonstrated leadership”.

However, the ANC also said it condemned “whatever provocation that came from the side of the journalist directed to the Youth League President as it might have been seen as an attempt to undermine and mock the leadership of the ANCYL”.

The ANC also said it “strongly” disagreed and distanced itself from utterances by Malema at the press conference that the youth league would support Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF to win their forthcoming general elections.

It maintained that its stance on Zimbabwe was that it fully supported the mediation process that is currently underway, which is led and facilitated by President Jacob Zuma.

“The ANC together with its government would like to see all political parties in Zimbabwe (the two MDC’s and Zanu PF) implementing the spirit and the letter of the Global Political Agreement. It is therefore our view that the ANCYL’s expression of support for one party in Zimbabwe goes against our country’s and President Zuma’s mediation efforts in that country,” the organization said.

The ANC said it will have talks with Malema. “These matters will include inter-alia, the matter raised in this press statement as well as matters relating to land, also matters relating to a call made by the ANC Officials for all ANC members and structures should restrain themselves in the singing of any struggle song that might be interpreted as contributing to racial polarization.”

“In this envisaged urgent meeting, the ANC will also sharply raise with the ANC

YL their utterances in matters relating to the death of Mr. Eugene Terre Blanche,” the organization said.