"We accept and respect the outcome of the [ANC] national conference, thus bringing the matter to finality," it said.

In December, Malema wrote a letter asking for his presidency back, but ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe rejected its arrival as too late .

Malema's old rival Pule Mabe was yesterday reinstated as the youth wing's treasurer-general.

Mabe was removed from his position in May last year following a vote of no confidence.

The ANC and ANC Youth League met last week to discuss issues within the league.

"The national executive committee continues to grapple with the critical question of the capacity of the ANC Youth League's leadership to rebuild the organisation and unite all youth behind the vision of the ANC," the youth wing said.

Acting ANC Youth League president Ronald Lamola, acting secretary Kenetswe Mosenogi and Mabe said yesterday in Pretoria it had decided to allow the ruling party to intervene in its operations.

Said Lamola: "The [committee] resolved to subject itself to the guidance of the ANC."

Until yesterday talk within the league had centred on convening a national general council at which branches would vote to replace expelled leaders Malema and Sindiso Magaqa.

Some within the league argued that this would stave off attempts by the ANC to take over control of the league.

But Mabe and Lamola said the league's leadership issues would be resolved only after deliberations with senior ANC leaders.

Mabe had previously been punted as a possible candidate to lead the independent review of the league's structures and operations. But this could be tricky given that Mabe is a member of both the ANC's and the youth wing's national executive committees. - Additional reporting Olebogeng Molatlhwa and Sapa