The Eastern Cape branch of the ANC has hit back after Julius Malema's attack on President Jacob Zuma.

The rebuttal comes after the expelled Youth League leader said Zuma was a "questionable leader" and a laughing stock internationally who got married every December.

"Zuma is a polygamist [who] undermined the rights of women," Malema was quoted as saying.

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has since released a press statement denouncing Malema's attack.

"Through his puerile theatrics, Malema has now ventured into exaggerating his self-importance by anointing himself as the only person who elected President Zuma to lead the ANC and the country," Eastern Cape ANC spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane said.

"As he climbed the crest of populist wave, masquerading as a panacea to socio-economic challenges rutting our society, and a concerned patriot, Malema amassed millions of rands for personal use in less than three years."

"Anything Malema says is not newsworthy but potential material for insult publishing rags and websites," Qoboshiyane continued.

The branch also took aim at ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, saying they were "neither shocked nor impressed" at her criticism of Zuma.

Madikizela-Mandela, in a pre-recorded TV show appearance, questioned how Zuma could promote the idea of one sexual partner when he had multiple wives.

"In her we expect more, a less angry mother who is able to advise, show compassion and be able to contribute towards building unity she laments about," Qoboshiyane said.

"It's unfortunate that people waited for the International Nelson Mandela day to mount their uncharismatic attack on the ANC and its government."