The Malema verdict

The ANC Youth League's autonomy is "qualified", the chairman of the ruling party's national disciplinary committee, Derek Hanekom, says.

He said the argument that the ANC Youth League is independent of the ANC was incorrect.

The ANCYL enjoyed a "degree of organisational autonomy", but was not independent of the ANC.

The ANCYL existed for the sole benefit of the ANC.

The ANCYL's constitution should not be in conflict with the ANC's constitution, said Hanekom, ahead of an announcement about ANCYL president Julius Malema, who is charged alongside five others with bringing the party into disrepute.

Lengthy document

The findings on ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and his co-accused make up a lengthy document Hanekom said.

He said they ran over 136 pages.

"A lot of complex matters were raised," said Hanekom.

The findings were presented to the African National Congress Youth League leadership on Thursday morning, he said.

Proper process followed

The proper process was followed in the disciplinary hearing of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema Hanekom said..

"The disciplinary process was properly initiated and proper process was followed," Hanekom told reporters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg.

However, he said the start of the hearings in August was marred by "unprecedented violence" by Malema supporters.

Discipline non-negotiable

Discipline in the ANC was "non-negotiable", Hanekom, said.

"Discipline is non-negotiable and it must be enforced," he told reporters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, ahead of an announcement about the fate of African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema.

He said the ANC's National General Council (NGC) in September 2010 directed that it was crucial that its members were disciplined.

It was "incumbent" for the disciplinary committee to "observe" the NGC resolutions.

"There should be no confusing signals from leadership on matters of discipline," said Hanekom.