ANC Youth League president Julius Malema might be in more trouble for using a racial slur against Indians during a speech to residents at the Thembelihle township, south of Johannesburg.
He used the slur while addressing about 600 black residents near Lenasia, a predominately Indian community.
"Bana ba lena ba tshwanetse ba dumelelwe gore ba tsene sekolo lebana ba makula mona [your children must be allowed to go to school with amaKula's [derogatory word for Indians] children."
The word amaKula is considered an offensive racial slur in South Africa and is on par with other offensive names the Human Rights Commission has ruled against.
Malema visited the community as part of his drive to garner support ahead of the youth league's economic freedom march next Thursday.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said Malema's comments, if found to be true, would be handled by the ruling party's leadership.
"It would be difficult for me to say anything when I have just heard it, but I am sure that if the matter has indeed been said, then it should be raised with the leadership of the ANC and the youth league.
"The ANC discourages the use of such words," Khoza said.
Malema is currently facing a disciplinary hearing for bringing the ANC into disrepute.
The hearing continues next week in the south of Johannesburg.
Yesterday, Malema told residents that they were being robbed of their dignity by being denied basic services such as water and lights.
Malema will lead the youth league's Economic Freedom Youth Mass Action next week, which will target the Chamber of Mines, JSE in Sandton, Johannesburg, and at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where a night vigil is planned.
He told residents to march to the Union Buildings using the M1 free way.
"We need to tell the government that we want to be treated with respect.
"We need to bring back the dignity of black people, especially Africans," Malema said.
Thembelihle residents have in the past months taken to the streets complaining about a lack of basic services.
Another service delivery protest in the area turned violent last month.
Malema told the community that they deserved respect.
"No person should live without a properly built house.
"There is no person who must live without electricity, water.
"You must be respected. You must not be treated like you are monkeys," Malema said.
He also said that, despite voting during national elections, the residents of Thembelihle were still not liberated as they continued to live in distress.
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