The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) on Tuesday called on the Democratic Alliance (DA) to "shut up", charging that the party's complaints about security for its president Julius Malema were rooted in racism.

"The statements released by right wing political parties, the DA in particular, in response to this confidential matter are clearly informed by the racist traditions of these minorities' (sic) parties," the league said in a statement.

It was responding to an article on News24, from Rapport newspaper, indicating Malema was enjoying VIP protection costing the taxpayer R300 000 a month.

The ANCYL condemned reports about the matter and called on "all responsible media to altogether stop reporting on the personal security of the ANCYL president because we believe it is confidential.

"We also call on the DA to shut up and respect the democratic principles, institutions and processes of the ANC-led government.

"We are left with little option, but to believe that the DA's objection to ANCYL president's security arrangements is informed by ulterior and possibly fatal motives."

In the online report police spokesperson Zweli Mnisi confirmed on Saturday that Malema received VIP protection. Crime intelligence had confirmed Malema's suspicion his life was in danger, was correct, he said.

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille told the paper: "For someone who likes to make controversial statements in the media, it is cowardly to now suddenly be afraid".

DA spokesperson on safety and security Dianne Kohler Barnard said security was a "fashion trend" for the youth league president.

"Blue lights and security personnel are a fashion trend to Malema, like Paris Hilton's dog in the handbag."

On Tuesday, DA youth spokesperson Khume Ramulifho responded to the youth league and charged Malema's VIP protection was about his ego.

"It seems the ANCYL conspiracy theorists have been hard at work again, coming up with all sorts of plots and schemes to explain why ordinary South Africans might feel aggrieved at the thought of Julius Malema receiving millions of rands of State-funded security each year," he said.

Citing examples where the youth league "routinely threatened people's lives", Ramulifho said it was "ridiculous" to suggest league members needed protection.

This included Malema saying the league was prepared to "take up arms and kill for Zuma" in 2008, and the league's Thabo Meeko recently saying the "shoot to kill approach must apply to all racists, including [Free State University Rector Jonathan] Jansen".