The African National Congress has warned its youth body against making pronouncement that undermine the Constitution of the organisation.

"Regrettably, the ANCYL's decision to undermine and defy the decision of the NDC [national deisciplinary commitee] effectively defines the organisation outside of the ANC Constitutional parameters," said party spokesman Jackson Mthembu in a statement issued on Sunday night.

"That is totally un-ANC...The leadership of the ANC will look at these developments and respond appropriately."

He was reacting to Sunday's decision by the league's national executive committee for Julius Malema to continue his role as president, despite a suspension that was imposed by the NDC.

In an apparent act of defiance, the ANCYL said it would never be removed by a process that excluded the participation of youth members, and that Malema should continue performing his functions as league president.

This decision was taken at the league's special NEC meeting on Sunday.

Mthembu said NDC's decision to temporarily suspend Malema was an injunction deriving from the party's Constitution.

"As the ANC we believe that he Constitution of the ANC is the ultimate authority on matters of the organisation and thus sacrosanct to all its members and structures including the ANCYL NEC, he said.

"As such, all structures of the ANC were expected to abide by the decisions emanating from bodies mandated by the party's constitution."

The league further argued that the decision to summarily suspend Malema on April 4 -- for calling President Jacob Zuma a dictator -- was not officially communicated to the league.

However, Mthembu disagreed, saying this was communicated Malema.

The conditions of the suspension prohibit Malema from exercising any duty as an ANC member, president of the ANCYL or member of the Limpopo provincial executive committee. He would face fresh disciplinary proceedings in this matter.

Malema has another disciplinary matter which he is appealing. He was expelled from the party last year by the NDC for disrespecting party leaders last year,

The ANCYL has consistently called for a political solution to the tension between itself and the mother body.

On Sunday, the league complained that the leadership's refusal to meet was indication that the league itself was "charged and being banished" for reasons unknown.

Mthembu said the ANC leadership would look into the league's request for a meeting, adding that this would however not interfere with the pending disciplinary process against Malema, league spokesman Floyd Shivambu and secretary Sindiso Magaqa.