An African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader of Ekurhuleni promised that supporters would stay disciplined on Tuesday, as crowds grew outside the ruling party's headquarters ahead of Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing.

"We will not cause confrontation with police...we are staying together united and disciplined. We are not going to break anything," said Thepelo Khumalo, chairperson of the African National Congress Youth League's Tsakane branch in Ekurhuleni.

He said his branch members arrived in five Toyota Quantums.

"We did it for President Jacob Zuma so now we are doing it for Julius Malema... we support everyone in Luthuli House...

"He [Malema] is the son of the president."

Members who converged around him said they did not believe the charges brought against their president meant that Zuma was going against Malema.

Should "the big 5" be suspended, Khumalo said the elders would have to suspend all members of youth league.

"Malema is our mouth, he took a mandate from us...if he is suspended, we are going with him in solidarity."

One member was draped in chains across his chest. He strode across Beyers Naude square, carrying a placard saying: "Julius Malema ons stan by jour [sic]. Deur dik en dun! [Malema, we stand by you through thick and thin.]"

Khumalo was one of Malema's supporters who had gathered at Luthuli House in Johannesburg to show support for Malema and his co-accused.

Hundreds of people had gathered and busloads more were expected.

He faces charges alongside league spokesperson, Floyd Shivambu, league deputy president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, his deputy, Kenetswe Mosenogi and treasurer general Pule Mabe.

The charges include bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions in ANC ranks.

Malema recently said the ANCYL would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and help bring about regime change, as it believed the government there was "in full co-operation with imperialists" and was undermining the "African agenda".

Last year, Malema pleaded guilty in an ANC disciplinary hearing after he publicly criticised President Jacob Zuma.

The national disciplinary committee at the time said that should Malema be found guilty of provoking serious divisions or a break-down of unity in the organisation within the next two years, his membership of the ANC would be suspended.