Deputy-president of the African National Congress Kgalema Motlanthe on Sunday criticised the "state of disorder" that characterised the ANC Youth League's (ANCYL) national conference in Bloemfontein.

Motlanthe, in offering "constructive criticism" to the new leadership, said the Youth League needed to urgently address its organisational and structural weaknesses.

"It could not be correct that the Youth League pronounces and acts in a manner that creates the perception that it was not quite amenable to the organisational discipline of the ANC," Motlanthe said.

Outgoing ANCYL President Fikile Mbalula said that "forces" had tried to disrupt the congress but that they had failed. "We are aware of disruptive elements which is unfortunate."

Mbalula apologised to South Africa for actions displayed by the disruptive elements at the conference since Thursday last week. "We want to apologise to the ANC, our mother body, for the things we should have kept and did not."

Mbalula, said the election of the new leadership would be decided by "democratic processes" and no other way.

Delegates at the conference started to vote for the top five positions for the ANCYL at 7pm. The results were expected at 10pm. Mbalula urged the Youth League that it must throw its weight behind the new elected leadership.

He said despite the criticism on the behaviour of members the ANCYL would remain a "militant organ" of the ANC.

Motlanthe also urged the youth, especially students, not to destroy infrastructure at tertiary and institutions while "grappling with the challenges" that were confronting them -- referring to the burning and destruction of property.

"Students at tertiary and university institutions have at times not shown the level of understanding that was required in dealing with the challenges that they face."

He said infrastructure should be preserved for future use otherwise the next generation would not be able to "draw on the relevant messages of those elements".

The conference is held at the Callie Human Centre at Bloemfontein campus of the University of the Free State.