The ANC Youth League was tight-lipped yesterday about leadership succession despite its suspended president, Julius Malema, saying that he is preparing for a life outside politics - and possibly in jail.

As the leadership race in the league heats up ahead of the ruling party's decision on the future of some of its leaders, several of Malema's closest colleagues refused to talk about the fate of their embattled leader.

Some insiders said Malema had warned his national executive that should his suspension be upheld, then the league's leadership should be changed because he represented them and their views.

The league was due to brief the media this morning about the outcome of its national executive committee lekgotla, which was held in Pretoria at the weekend. But it cancelled the briefing. It also postponed a press conference yesterday, saying ANC's national disciplinary appeals committee is due to start hearing evidence in mitigation today regarding Malema's suspension and that of two other leaders.

Malema, his spokesman, Floyd Shivambu, and secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, suspended for sowing division in the party and bringing it into disrepute, will know later this week if the period of their suspensions will be reduced by the appeals committee, which is chaired by ANC stalwart Cyril Ramaphosa.

In what could be a sign that the league is treading carefully, its national executive committee said it would wait until the mitigation process was concluded before pronouncing on its lekgotla resolutions.

After months of daring both ANC leaders and the Hawks to investigate allegations against him of ill-discipline and corruption, Malema on Friday showed signs that he might be backing down.

"We are now preparing for our lives outside the ANC - and possibly in prison,'' he said. "This has been a painful period in our lives."