ANC Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema has vowed that the youth of South Africa would die in supporting ANC President Jacob Zuma.

"We are prepared to die for Zuma," Malema told a Free State rally. "We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma," Malema added at the end of his speech, while the crowd clapped hands and laughed.

Earlier, Malema said there was no question that the ANC president would be the country's next president. He added that those who did not respect the current ANC leadership should go.

Malema said those in the party who have indicated that they would not be available for positions in the new government, under Zuma, should not wait but leave now.

He also reiterated that the Scorpions case against Zuma, expected to begin later this year in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, should be dropped.