ANC president Jacob Zuma would lead the organisation from prison if he was ever arrested, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema said on Wednesday.

Malema reiterated at the ANC provincial conference in the Free State that Zuma would lead the ANC in its election campaign for 2009.

"If you arrest him, he will lead us from prison," said Malema.

"The President in orange," he said to a huge roar of laughter from delegates.

However, he said the country should spare itself the embarrassment.

Malema repeated that there was no case against Zuma and that the ANC president would be South Africa's next president to lead the country.

Zuma is currently involved in a legal battle with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding his indictment on charges which include allegations of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud.

Malema criticised party members in the Free State who had taken the party to court in recent months.

He said the ANC did not need them.

"You must reject these people who take the ANC to court," he told the delegates.

Malema threw his weight behind current ANC chairperson in the Free State Ace Magashule, for re-election, because he had "demonstrated" that he could unite the party in the province.

He said the ANC Youth League would do anything in its power to make sure that the ANC stayed united and repeated his words that he would fight and eliminate anybody who stood in his way.

"For that we are prepared to die," Malema said while the conference delegates applauded.

Sapa