Ongoing public spats between the Hawks and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan are unacceptable, the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) said on Sunday.

"We equally call on Pravin not to fall into trap of wanting to be Jesus Christ of our times, claiming that in the entire movement, he is the only one committed to fighting corruption,' the league said in a statement.

It was briefing reporters at ANC headquarters following a two-day national executive committee meeting.

The matter between the Hawks and Gordhan should not be taken into the public discourse, but resolved between them in private, the league said.

Last month, the Hawks insisted Gordhan present himself at their offices to make a warning statement regarding his alleged contraventions of the National Strategic Intelligence Act and Public Finance Management Act.

These related to his approval of former South African Revenue Service commissioner Ivan Pillay's early retirement in 2010 and the creation of an intelligence unit at the service. Gordhan refused to comply with the demand.

ANCYL deputy treasurer Thandi Moraka said Gordhan needed to stop projecting himself as a victim to the public.

The league also took aim at outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, saying her investigation into state capture and the rate at which it was proceeding was cause for concern.

It was perplexed that she was focusing only on the executive arm of government's role. It should also be looking at the judiciary and legislature.

The league said it would approach Madonsela's office to demand answers.

ANCYL leader Collen Maine said if the public protector's office was investigating state capture, it needed to look beyond the Gupta family.

"The Stellenbosch mafias must also be investigated, not just one family said to be influencing the president," he said.