President Jacob Zuma on Saturday lashed out at the conduct of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema, saying that the statements he made were totally alien to the culture of the ruling party.

Zuma criticised the Youth League leader for defying the court ruling which banned the singing of the controversial "dubula ibhunu" (shoot the boer).

He also lambasted the "horrendous" manner in which Malema treated a BBC journalist and the statements he made about the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after his visit to Zimbabwe.

"We reiterate that leaders should think before they speak, as their utterances have wider implications for the country," said Zuma, addressing the media in Durban.

He said that the ANC leadership was drawing the line, and that there would be consequences for anyone who crossed that line.

"The relevant structure in the ANC will look at what has happened to see if the line has been crossed. If the line has been crossed, there will be consequences," he said.

Zuma said that he had spoken to Malema by telephone about what happened in Zimbabwe and how he treated the international journalist.

The commotion between Malema and the journalist took place at an ANCYL media conference on Thursday.

Malema called journalist Jonah Fisher a "bastard" and an "agent", before booting him out of the briefing.

This, after Fisher pointed out that Malema lived in Sandton an upmarket area in Johannesburg - while the youth leader was chastising Zimbabwe's MDC for operating out of offices there.

Zuma said that he had not received a complaint from the MDC about Malema's statements.

Zuma said that the manner in which Fisher was treated was regrettable and unacceptable regardless on any alleged provocation.

"An independent and free media is one of the cornerstones of democracy. We must accord journalists the freedom to do their work unhindered," said Zuma.

The Youth League has in the recent past been accused of trying to muzzle the media through intimidation.

He said that the ANC had called for the "dubula ibhunu" song not to be sung because the organisation respected the court ruling.

"When the ANC has made such a statement, it is totally out of order for us to continue as if such a statement was not made," he said.

In the current environment, the song could be misunderstood by those not familiar with the context and content of "our struggle", he said.

"We must recognise the role of the judiciary as the final arbiter in disputes in society," he said.

He said that there were procedures that one should follow to challenge court decisions.

"Defiance of these procedures should not be tolerated. It would make mockery of our judicial system," he said.

The call for the court judgement not to defy the court judgment was not aimed at diminishing the proud history against apartheid.

The dubula ibhunu song was sung during the struggle for liberation.

Zuma said that the ANCYL was not an independent body, and existed within the umbrella policy and discipline of the ANC.

On Zimbabwe, Zuma said that government would continue to facilitate the resolution of the impasse in that country and it would treat all parties with respect.

Zuma's comments come after Malema ridiculed the MDC and pledged the Youth League's support for the Zanu-PF.

"We cannot and we will not side with any one of the parties to exclusion of others."

He said that South Africa was a respected member of the international community, and had regional and international responsibilities.

Asked about the hosting of the old South African flag during the funeral of Afrikaner Weerstandbeweging leader Eugene Terre'Blanche, Zuma said that the right-wing party needed to be encouraged not to do it.

"I don't think we should make it a big issue and blow it out of proportion. I think they should be encouraged not to do it."

Zuma said that Malema was likely to face an internal disciplinary hearing, the Sunday Times reported.