ANC president Jacob Zuma says he has advised Youth League president Julius Malema to desist from making controversial statements.

Zuma was speaking to SABC Current Affairs in Nelspruit where he was campaigning for next year's elections.

He said the ANC ensured that there was internal discipline among members.

Malema recently labelled former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa an irresponsible father and a security guard.

Shilowa was a security guard at The Star newspaper many years ago.

Zuma said he was aware of Malema's recent attacks on Shilowa and he would address Malema when they met.

Sapa