The African National Congress Youth League appears to be increasing the pressure on ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe after this weekend's National Executive Committee meeting.

The party discussed policy for the year ahead on Saturday and Sunday but it is understood some alliance relationship also came under the microscope.

ANC officials would not speak on the record about what happened at the meeting saying only that Mantashe himself will give a briefing on Monday morning.

However, it does appear Julius Malema was asked in the NEC why he is trying to weaken Mantashe.

It is alleged that, in reply to the claim from Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin, he said that he was merely campaigning for Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula to take over from Mantashe at the party's next conference in 2012.

Both Cronin and Malema were not answering calls for comment.